WiTH Collective rebrands as Isobar Australia; Erik Hallander to lead integration of the two brands

After nearly three years as part of the global Isobar network, WiTH Collective Linked by Isobar is rebranding as Isobar Australia. Erik Hallander, CEO of Isobar Australia and New Zealand, will expand his role to include WiTH Collective and lead the integration of the two brands.

As part of this process, WiTH Collective co-founders, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Hind and Chief Operating Officer, Dominique Hind will step back from the day-to-day operation of the business.

Thomas Tearle, General Manager of Isobar Sydney and Canberra, will take on local management of the newly-extended team. There are no proposed changes to the WiTH Collective operation in New Zealand that will continue to be led by General Manager, John Marshall.

Together, the leadership team will optimise the businesses’ complementary, market-leading capabilities to offer clients greater access to high-end digital experience, ecosystem design and creativity.

Says Hallander (pictured): “Justin and Dom have built an amazing business – one we have long collaborated with, and admired the creative people and work that has led to its reputation in market. Bringing our businesses together continues to add scale and breadth to our offering. It will unite and optimise our complementary capabilities, and untap even greater opportunity for our clients and partners.”

Adds Hind: “This is a logical next step for the business. Taking the Isobar name has always been part of our plan and untaps even greater opportunity for our clients and partners.

“Dominique and I started the business over nine years ago. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved; we’ve worked with wonderful clients, on some amazing brands and we’ve helped start, foster and develop some great people’s careers. Our personal chapter with the business now closes and a new exciting one opens for the combined business.

“We have absolute faith in Erik to lead the business onwards and upwards with ambition and integrity, and I’d like to thank the WiTH Collective team past and present for getting us to such a pivotal point so far.”

Says Henry Tajer, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) ANZ: “We are very excited about these two fantastic companies becoming one and see great benefits to our clients as a result of this change. The combined capabilities will enable clients to fully leverage the power of creativity, digital transformation and a business growth mindset that sits at the core of the Isobar business and team.”

Founded in 2010, WiTH Collective was acquired by DAN in September 2016. It was formally linked to Isobar in 2017, to form part of the Isobar ANZ Group – comprising Isobar, Accordant, Davanti, SMG and WiTH Collective.