1.00pm Registration
1.30pm Opening Address
1.35pm The Independent Shift: Insights from the other side
Howatson+Company founder Chris Howatson
In just two years, Chris Howatson has created an independent business of scale after an established career in global network agencies. This presentation will delve into the process of scaling a challenger brand in a competitive market including the decisions that shaped its early success, navigating setbacks and transitioning to a new agency model.
1.55pm ‘The best Of both worlds?’ An agency that’s both a multinational and an independent
McCann Australia and HERO owner Ben Lilley
The Australian advertising industry has witnessed several management buyouts of multinationals in recent years. As one of the first powerbrokers to kick this off with the McCann and integrated HERO agency, Ben Lilley unpacks the buyout strategy alongside the evolution of two independent ventures. This session will provide strategic insights into the domestic advertising market and what distinguishes it from the global capitals.
2.15pm The New Guard: Opportunities, challenges and insights from indie’s new entrants
RyanCap Founder Simon Ryan, New Co. Founder Justin Hind and Exceptional Alien Co-Founder Justin Drape
The competitive landscape for independent agencies is transforming amid a talent wave migrating from agency holding groups and their affiliates. In this panel discussion, the new guard will share their perspectives on the current state of the industry including growth opportunities, what challenges agencies need to prepare for and the future of Australia’s advertising playing field.
2.45pm Afternoon Tea
3.15pm Adland Acquisitions: Scaling an agency and the power of partnerships
Havas Media Group CEO Virginia Hyland
Virginia Hyland discusses how she scaled and built Hyland towards its acquisition by Havas, integrating similar values and philosophies while unlocking a powerful pool of resources and capabilities. This presentation will unlock the pathway to expanding and developing a media agency while retaining its proposition in the increasingly sophisticated advertising landscape.
3.35pm Commerce and creativity: In gut we trust
Special Group partner and CSO Rebecca Stambanis
Guts are all the rage right now. It’s impossible to scroll through your social feed without seeing an article or sponsored post promoting a new gut diet or cleanse. Yet when it comes to our instinctive guts, we are abandoning them at an alarming rate. Nurturing our guts (not just physically but instinctively) is one of the greatest things we can do to nourish our creativity and drive better commercial outcomes.
3.55pm Pitch perfect: Marketers’ perspectives on the agency roster and pitching to win
Myer GM marketing Gemma Hunter, Uber International Head of Partnership Marketing – APEC, EMEA, LATAM Rebecca Kemp, Michael Hill CMO Jo Feeney and Tourism Tasmania CMO Lindene Cleary
As the Australian pitch market intensifies this year, new business opportunities are ripe for the taking. But what are the do’s, don’t’s and deliverables for independent agencies looking to make their mark in 2023? This panel lineup will explore successful pitch strategies, selection criteria and the latest evolution of agency procurement and pitch briefs.
4.25pm The art of the deal: Acquisitions, mergers and growth in the indie playing field
Pearman Media MD Dominic Pearman, Awaken CEO Chris Parker, Hatched Media CEO Jack Byrne and Deloitte Digital’s Partner in Marketing, Data and Technology David Phillips
Strategic acquisitions are contributing to the growth of independent media agencies in Australia, as M&A activity drives full-service capabilities and enhances competitive advantage. In this session, agency pioneers share their experiences and insights into how acquisitions originate, the process of talent and resource integration and scaling a successful independent business.
4.45pm Supplier side: Behind indieland’s growing market share
Pubmatic Director of Advertising Solutions Brittany Lefave, Amobee and Unruly Director of Growth Lenten Reddy and StackAdapt Senior Manager of Client Services Louise Hutley
As partners who work closely with independent agencies, advertising technology leaders are uniquely placed to share their perspectives on the advantages and challenges that operators face in today’s marketplace. This panel session will unearth how the sector has developed in recent years, the needs of independent agencies and where the market is moving next.
5.00pm Closing address and networking drinks
AdNews Live provides attendees with access to experts in their field, through keynote sessions and interactive panel discussions tailored to media, marketing and advertising professionals.
Developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders, this conference offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into trends, best practices and competitive strategies.
AdNews Live provides companies with an opportunity to develop their teams through gaining a deeper understanding of the industry and connecting with their peers.
Through a series of networking sessions and drinks, clients can exchange ideas and establish new business relationships in between presentations.
The Australian independent agency landscape has transformed amid a talent wave migrating from global networks to set up shop. In this panel session, the new guard will share perspectives on the current state of the advertising industry including growth opportunities, what challenges independent agencies need to prepare for and their insights from transitioning out of the holding group model.
As the Australian pitch market intensifies this year, new business opportunities are ripe for the taking. But what are the do’s, don’t’s and deliverables for independent agencies looking to make their mark in 2023? This panel lineup will explore successful pitch strategies, selection criteria and the evolution of agency procurement and pitch briefs.
In just two years, Chris Howatson has created an independent agency of scale after an established career global network agencies. This presentation will delve into the process of scaling a challenger brand in a competitive market, including navigating setbacks, the decisions that shaped its early success and transitioning to a new agency model.
The Australian advertising industry has witnessed several management buyouts of global network agencies in recent years. As one of the first powerbrokers to kick this off with the McCann and integrated HERO agency, Ben Lilley discusses the strategy behind the buyout alongside the evolution of two independent agencies. This session will provide insights into the national advertising agency market and what distinguishes it from the global capitals.
Strategic acquisitions are contributing to the growth of independent media agencies in Australia, as M&A activity drives full-service capabilities and enhances their competitive advantage. In this session, panellists will share their experiences and insights on successful acquisitions, integration of teams and driving growth in the rapidly changing media landscape.
Australian National Maritime Museum