Publicis Media to lead Nestlé’s Media Strategy in China
Global food and beverage giant Nestlé has named Publicis Media China as its new media agency, tasking them with managing the company’s comprehensive media portfolio across China.
Under this appointment, Publicis Media China will oversee Nestlé’s media requirements, including planning and buying for social, mobile, and performance media in China. The agency’s responsibilities will span Nestlé’s entire product portfolio in China, covering categories such as confectionery, milk powder, coffee, snacks, beverages, and more.
Nestlé awarded its media account to Publicis Media China following a competitive pitch that highlighted the agency’s data and technology-driven capabilities. Publicis Media China impressed with a strategy demonstrating a deep understanding of Nestlé’s business in China, presenting innovative solutions aimed at broadening and deepening consumer reach and driving significant business results.
Publicis Communications has been partnering with Nestlé in China for 14 years, delivering creative services and customer relationship management (CRM). With the addition of media and eCommerce services through this recent appointment, Publicis Communications is poised to offer a more cohesive and integrated approach, enhancing its ability to support Nestlé’s strategic objectives in China.
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To bolster these efforts, Nestlé One, an exclusive team dedicated to Nestlé China, has been established. This initiative aims to foster greater synergy and alignment across creative, media, and CRM functions, driving forward Nestlé’s business goals. Plans are slated to commence in August 2024, with pivotal strategies and campaigns set for launch in the months ahead.
David Zhang, executive vice president of Nestlé S.A. and CEO Zone Greater China, said,
“Nestlé is always seeking new ways to connect with our consumers in the digital age. Publicis Groupe has shown that they are at the forefront of innovative digital strategies with their strong data capabilities and unique tools. We believe this continued partnership will allow us to create more meaningful connections with our customers, and we are excited to see where this partnership will lead us.”
Meanwhile, Jane Lin-Baden, Asia Pacific chief executive officer of Publicis Groupe, commented,
“We are honoured to be chosen as Nestlé’s trusted strategic partner. Nestlé places consumers at the centre of its brand strategy. It has shown foresight in its innovative marketing approach driven by digital and data, which is where Publicis’ expertise lies. We look forward to partnering with Nestlé to increase its effective investment in intelligent solutions to respond rapidly to Chinese consumers’ needs and supercharge Nestlé’s sustainable growth.”
Nestlé, a global leader in food and beverage, is dedicated to using food to improve the quality of life for all, present and future. It focuses on a unified marketing strategy that integrates e-commerce and digital transformation, ensuring comprehensive brand exposure across multiple channels.
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UM Australia Promotes Michael Mellington to Head of Media Planning
Melbourne, Australia – UM Australia has announced Michael Mellington’s promotion to the newly created position of head of media planning. The promotion will take effect immediately. He will work in Melbourne and report directly to Raj Gupta, UM’s chief strategy and growth officer.
The UM national media planning team will be headed by Mellington. He will manage the national planning team and attend to the media planning requirements of UM’s national clientele, focusing on clients located in Melbourne.
Mellington joined UM in 2016, having previously worked as head of partnerships in Melbourne.
Speaking about the promotion, Anathea Ruys, CEO, UM Australia, said, “We are very excited to have someone of Mello’s experience and capability fill this critical role in UM’s evolution. Exceptional media planning is a cornerstone of client success, and on a daily basis, Mello demonstrates his dedication to the craft of planning and his commitment to client growth. More recently he has worked tirelessly to establish and deliver a plan to uplift the craft for UM. With his leadership skills so apparent, the entire planning team – and our clients – will see his efforts come to life as we move forward.”
She added, “I am truly delighted Michael has taken on this new role and challenge and I am excited about what the future of media planning looks like for UM with him at the helm.”
Meanwhile, Mellington said, “I am a firm believer that the craft of planning in our industry is pivotal to client growth and needs a renewed focus, so I am thrilled to take on this new challenge working with the incredible talent that is across our national team. My aim moving forward is to balance our approach of people and data to unpack the full spectrum of creative media solutions to drive tangible client outcomes. With the fast-paced evolution of our industry, this is the perfect time for UM to take a market leading stance and I’m honoured to lead this charge with our planning community.”
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Omnicom Announces Expansion in India with Four New Centers of Excellence
The Global Solutions Centers of Excellence are expanding, as Omnicom announced, adding three new campus locations in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Gurugram. In October, a fourth location will open in Hyderabad. With this sizeable investment, Omnicom is reaffirming its commitment to growing its footprint in India’s rapidly developing economy, utilizing its diverse talent pool, and advancing innovation and improving client services throughout the organization.
Omnicom’s Center of Excellence
These centers of excellence, which are intended to support Omnicom’s growing global client solutions capabilities and expanding footprint, will house more than 5,500 colleagues from a diverse talent pool. The newly constructed, cutting-edge offices will offer Omnicom’s talent in India the best possible collaborative environments. Through their expertise in media, data and analytics, creative, digital commerce, marketing technology, and AI, Omnicom’s Global Solutions Centers will support our agencies around the world, driving more value and efficiencies for our clients.
Here’s what they said
John Wren, Chairman and CEO, Omnicom said
“India is a country of creativity and technology with diverse, dynamic and talented people. Our India operations are helping us transform from within, improving our client offerings and providing operating efficiencies. We are rapidly scaling and will continue to increase the number of colleagues in Omnicom’s Global Solutions Centers over the next few years, making them a key component of Omnicom’s growth.”
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Nova Entertainment Taps Mindshare As Its New Media Agency Partner
Following a competitive tender process, Nova Entertainment has selected Mindshare, part of GroupM, as its new media agency partner. With the appointment, Mindshare will assume responsibility for its entire portfolio, which is estimated to be valued at approximately $9 million. These include Star 104.5, Smooth FM, FIVEAA, the Nova Network, and the Nova Podcast Network.
The collaboration will start on June 1, 2024, and the first campaign is scheduled for Q3. Since 2017, Nova Entertainment has worked with incumbent Carat as its media agency.
Here’s what they said
Adam Johnson, Nova Entertainment’s chief growth officer said,
“We have been so impressed with the calibre of agency partners we spoke to as part of this process and it has underlined how Australia’s media industry is alive and well and full of great people and thinking. We look forward to working alongside the [Mindshare] team to further grow audiences across all of Nova Entertainment’s audio offerings.
Maria Grivas, CEO of Mindshare Australia & New Zealand added,
“Audio plays a unique role in Australians’ lives and Nova Entertainment has Incredible talent on, and off, the air. Throughout the process we were excited by Nova Entertainment’s appetite for transformation and growth. Our teams are thrilled to bring Mindshare’s approach towards this to Nova Entertainment, delivering strategic thinking and innovation across their portfolio of leading radio, podcast and live music brands.”
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Starcom Middle East Appoints Donnacha Kinsella as Head for Saudi Arabia
Donnacha Kinsella has been named as the new Head of Starcom Middle East, a global media agency operating under the Publicis Groupe Middle East umbrella, in Saudi Arabia. Having previously worked as the lead for strategy, digital, and data on the P&G account, this is Donnacha’s second stint with the Group and Starcom ME.
Donnacha’s extensive experience
With a wealth of experience in media and advertising, Donnacha has worked in a variety of international markets, including the US, Ireland, and the Middle East for more than seven years. With a focus on digital marketing and data leadership, he offers a plethora of experience spanning multiple client verticals, including CPG, Finance, Automotive, and Technology.
Donnacha appointed Head for Starcom KSA
Furthermore, Donnacha has managed media teams for some of Starcom ME’s biggest customers, including P&G and Stellantis. In his most recent position, he was the Global Client Lead at Mindshare. There he was in charge of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) account, which is Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. He was instrumental in establishing the operations and strategy of the media and advertising divisions there.
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Starcom ME’s victories
Recently, Starcom ME won two awards, “Media Agency of the Decade” at the Athar Festival in Saudi Arabia. The second award was the “Most Effective Media Agency” at the MENA Effies.
Here’s what they said
Ramez Zeineddine, CEO, of Starcom Middle East, said,
As a media, data, and technology leader, Donnacha’s work and experience in performance and business outcomes is unparalleled. Equally important, he’s also a champion of people and culture. As Starcom ME continues to drive Growth for our teams, clients, and the industry at large, we’re excited to have Donnacha on board as we further accelerate our foundations in Saudi Arabia.
Donnacha Kinsella, Head of Starcom KSA, said,
I’m excited to re-join Starcom ME and Publicis Groupe ME. Starcom’s ethos and goal to drive human understanding and connection fit well with the ambition and opportunities we see in Saudi Arabia. I’m excited and committed to the growth of both Starcom and the Kingdom. I’m looking forward to working with our team to elevate our existing client relationships and to drive business growth in line with the Saudi 2030 Vision.
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Wavemaker Defends the Media AOR For L’Oréal in Thailand
After a competitive review, Wavemaker, a division of WPP, has defended the media AOR for L’Oréal in Thailand for the next three years, starting in January 2024. After 13 years of collaboration, L’Oréal and Wavemaker have extended their role, with the agency now handling media strategies and e-commerce sales in Thailand in addition to planning.
Wavemaker – L’Oréal Thailand Media AOR
The incumbent agency’s dedication to data and consumer insights throughout the pitch process impressed the French beauty giant, Maybelline’s parent company. An example of this is the establishment of Beauty Tech Labs, a specialized client-agency team made up of AI specialists and innovators to exchange resources and knowledge throughout the WPP network.
With L’Oréal, the retainer broadens Wavemaker’s expanding worldwide mandate. Media mandates in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have been awarded to the Media agency. Additionally, the agency kept the $61 million Indian business.
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Here’s what they said
As reported by Campaign Asia,
Yada Sarttarasathit, chief digital and marketing officer of L’Oréal Groupe in Thailand said,
We are excited to continue our journey with Wavemaker, who has proven to be a highly compatible partner. We look forward to harnessing their synergy and innovative media strategies to create the beauty that moves the world.
Christopher Orcutt, managing director of Wavemaker Thailand added,
We will leverage our data and knowledge from the WPP network worldwide to drive media planning and e-commerce strategies for L’Oréal. Our goal is to create comprehensive online and offline beauty experiences for every Thai consumer.
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