Vodafone Hutchison Australia appoints J. Walter Thompson as creative partner
VHA consolidates its relationship with WPP AUNZ
Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) today announced the appointment of J. Walter Thompson, Sydney, as its new creative partner.
The move sees VHA further consolidate its relationship with WPP AUNZ following the appointment of fellow agency MEC which manages the company’s media account.
“We have selected JWT via our long-term relationship with WPP as Vodafone’s full service marketing communications agency,” said Ben McIntosh, VHA’s Consumer Business Director.
“We believe JWT has brought together a formidable team that will help position Vodafone as a real alternative in the telecommunications market.”
According to Mr McIntosh, bringing the key marketing disciplines closer together under the WPP AUNZ umbrella is an opportunity for the company to streamline and simplify its local marketing operations.
“Having everything housed under WPP provides the added benefit of enabling us to coordinate our efforts to be more agile, responsive and smart in our approach to reaching customers, consumers and businesses,” said Mr McIntosh.
The selection follows a creative review which began last December.
WPP AUNZ CEO Mike Connaghan said that the shift to a tighter, more integrated agency model is about enabling Vodafone to work seamlessly with best in breed experts from across the WPP AUNZ group.
“This is a great example of our strategy in action. It’s about bringing together the best people and thinking from across our group to create better, smarter ideas to grow their business”.
J.Walter Thompson, including the CX expertise from digital agency Webling, will work across the entire communications spectrum including brand and retail comms, CVM, social and CX/UX.
Managing Director at J Walter Thompson, Sydney, Jenny Willits, said the agency was thrilled to add Vodafone to its client roster and become the latest market to be part of WPP and Vodafone’s global relationship.
“It’s an exciting time to be leading the creative focus for Vodafone,” said Ms Willits. “With new teams on both the client and agency side, plus the opportunity to extend our working relationship with our sister agency MEC, we believe our collective teams are truly set up for success and will drive growth for the Vodafone brand.”
“This latest win caps off a fantastic growth period for the agency and we are looking forward to bringing our ideas to market and being a major part of Vodafone’s success going forward,” she said.