Communications conglomerate WPP AUNZ will enter 2019 with a refreshed corporate goal and a logo to match.

WPP AUNZ Executive Director John Steedman said the dotted-letter logo is part of the company’s efforts to offer clients more simplified services with full creative thinking and technology backing them up.

The rebrand came off the heels of new WPP CEO Mark Read’s announcement that the conglomerate as a whole will focus on “creative transformation” to rebuild growth over the next few years, with some agencies closing down as well.

The logo is available in both navy blue (pictured) and white versions. WPP member-agencies Superunion and Landor spearheaded its development.

All WPP AUNZ companies will now carry the new logo on official correspondences.

The Australian arm of accounting software developer Xero has enlisted the services of PR provider Sefiani Communications.

Under the new partnership, Sefiani will handle full-service communications work for Xero as it caters to the Australian market. This includes building awareness for Xero products such as the Small Business Insights industry overview through creative campaigns with business and tech media outlets. Another agency is already assigned for Xero’s global account.

Xero Australia communications director Marina Holmes said Sefiani’s big-picture approach was what Xero needed to aid in its rapid growth.

Crows Nest PR agency Inside Out PR has won representation for three new clients.

Inside Out PR announced two of the clients on its Instagram as popular restaurant search and review website Zomato and skincare company Tan Tootie. InsideOut PR will handle PR work for Zomato’s consumer and trade sections, while the work for Tan Tootie involves engaging key media outlets to build awareness for the brand by sending them a full Tan Tootie self-tanning kit.

The Australian arm of Thai milk tea company Chapayom is the third new client. InsideoutPR’s assignment is to handle PR work for Chapayom’s first Australian outlet in the Sydney CBD.

“It’s been a busy end to the year for the agency and we are looking forward to creating valuable opportunities for our new and existing clients. The wins are a testament to the teams proven media publicity capability, influencer arm and strong client relationships,” said InsideOut founder and director Nicole Reaney.

Marketing communications conglomerate WPP AUNZ has opened a new data analysis department called WPP AUNZ Analytics.

WPP AUNZ chief data scientist Rob Pardini has been appointed as Analytics’ managing partner. He will be in charge of pooling datasets from various sources and studying them to aid clients in making the right business moves.  

WPP AUNZ Consulting, WPP AUNZ’s member agencies, and data partners will assist in Analytics’ workload.

“By connecting the consumer research, digital, media and transactions data at our disposal, we have unparalleled visibility on the purchase decision-making process, and how to get people to open their wallets. This is invaluable for our clients and all the agencies within our group, who can now access this information more easily than ever before,” said Pardini.

Communications agency whiteGREY has hired Katie Firth to assume the position of national managing editor, effective 14 January 2019.

Stationed at whiteGREY’s Melbourne office, Firth will oversee the development of the local operation while coordinating important work with colleagues at the agency’s Sydney branch.

The new position was borne out of the recent exit of whiteGREY Melbourne MD Claudia McInerney, who stepped down for personal reasons.

Firth comes into whiteGREY with 15 years of experience in marketing, PR and advertising. These include account directorships at four agencies and most recently as executive partner with TBWA Melbourne, with her clients comprising two state tourism agencies, a major utility provider, and two foreign automobile brands, among others.

Gerard “Ged” Bulmer is bowing out of his GM for motoring position at Bauer Media.

Bauer Media GM for publishing Terry King said Bulmer will step down on December 20, 2018.

Bulmer is credited for shepherding the growth of Bauer’s motoring titles, digitising Wheels magazine’s 65-year archives, and advocating new industry moves such as the establishment of the Australian Motoring Awards.

He first entered the motoring publishing circuit in 2002 as editor of Wheels magazine under the old ACP Publishing banner, and later moved to editing the Motor and Overlander magazines, plus managing editor for CarsGuide.

One of his last projects with Bauer is the development of WhichCar TV, which premieres in January 2019 on Network 10.

“It’s been a great ride but I’m now looking forward to spending some quality time with my wife and kids over Christmas and New Year, before embarking on my next venture,” said Bulmer.

Sydney content creation agency Reeton Media has introduced PR into its arsenal of services.

Agency founder/director Sheree Mutton told B and T that the addition of PR work, along with a new events business, marked a ”natural” change for the company.

The firm, which has been in business for the past eight years, currently offers online marketing and SEO services, as well as script writing for videos and speeches.

Follow Reeton Media on LinkedIn.