Mumbrella

R.M.Williams introduces ‘Worn Well’, starring Australian actor, writer and filmmaker Joel Edgerton, celebrating a life shaped by experience. Enjoying Mumbrella? Sign up for our free daily newsletter. Built on the belief that character isn’t something you put on, but something earned over time, Worn Well explores the people, places and experiences that leave their mark. Like a well-worn pair of R.M.Williams boots, these stories become richer with time.

SavourLife has launched a new brand platform ‘For pet parents who give a woof or meow’ including an accompanying campaign, that puts a new expression around the kind of pet parent the Australian purpose-led pet food brand was created for.

As M&C Saatchi Australia prepares to close its doors after more than three decades, founder Tom Dery has reflected on the people, ambition and standout work that made the agency one of the nation’s advertising powerhouses. “It was a great adventure… Our dream was to become the biggest agency in Australia, but also the most creative,” Dery told Mumbrella. “And we held that top-right position on the graph for many years.” Enjoying Mumbrella? Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Health and wellbeing brand Lite n’ Easy has launched a new Spring campaign, created with Ogilvy and featuring comedian Christian Hull. The campaign marks a shift in its marketing strategy, aiming to broaden its audience while celebrating its updated menu. The announcement: Lite n’ Easy is breaking from the conventions of the health and wellbeing category with a new integrated campaign designed to take the iconic Australian brand to a broader audience, created with Ogilvy.

Virgin Australia has today announced the launch of a new Travel Media Network, giving brands access to the airline’s almost 21 million annual customers across digital, lounge, in-flight and experiential channels. To bring the Virgin Australia Travel Media Network to market, content agency Suddenly has been appointed to manage advertising sales, offering brands a new way to connect with Virgin Australia customers in relevant moments throughout their travel journey. Enjoying Mumbrella?

The Australian-born global head of Omnicom Advertising Troy Ruhanen is stepping down after more than two decades in senior leadership across the holding company. Omnicom announced the New York-based advertising veteran’s retirement overnight, naming BBDO chairman Andrew Robertson as his successor. Ruhanen began his career with BBDO in Brisbane before moving to Leo Burnett Sydney in 1994. Enjoying Mumbrella? Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

A new poll commissioned by The Australia Institute reveals overwhelming support for digital duty of care laws which go much further than those announced this week, including harsh penalties – like jail – for companies that facilitate dangerous and illegal content spreading. The poll of 1042 voters, conducted by YouGov, found that 93% of Australian voters want online platforms to be legally required to provide a safe online environment and prevent harmful content. Enjoying Mumbrella?

News Australia has transformed its News Travel Network, launching new products across digital, print and global channels to solve a critical challenge for travel marketers. As AI engines collapse the traditional booking journey, editorial authority in trusted environments now dictates which brands AI surfaces and recommends.

This week on the Mumbrellacast, the MFW point their brooms at Dave Hughes, and we struggle to find a legitimate reason for the protesting – at least, not one that has anything to do with Hughesy. M&C Saatchi’s local management takeover, announced just six weeks ago, has collapsed, and it seems that the entire Australian business may be done. This is a rapidly evolving story – read the latest on Mumbrella ⁠here⁠.

M&C Saatchi is preparing to exit Australia, ending a 30-year run that made it one of the country’s most renowned and influential advertising agencies. Mumbrella understands clients and management were informed today by the network’s London headquarters that the Australian business will be folded by November after management failed to secure Parc as the backer for a proposed buyout.