Sunday 25 October 2026

Bernbach, part of the Omnicom family, has launched a Volkswagen campaign for the Amarok V6 W600. “Walkinshaw World” presents Australia as a continent-sized amusement park, with the campaign built around the idea that an exciting drive can be found close to home.

Why it matters: Marketers can study how Bernbach uses a distinctive experiential world and local driving insight to turn a product proposition into a memorable brand idea. However, it is unlikely to materially affect most organisations or require immediate action.

Cox Inall Ridgeway, a majority First Nations-owned social change agency, has appointed Tanya Hosch AM to its board. The announcement marks a leadership development for the Australian agency.

Why it matters: Marketers working on First Nations engagement, social-impact campaigns or agency partnerships may find the appointment relevant, but most marketers are unlikely to need to change plans or decisions because of it.

Julie Matthews, a former creative leader at Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy and OMD, has launched independent creative studio DOSE. The new business will provide creative and strategic expertise to brands and marketers across Australia.

Why it matters: Marketers may want to know about a new independent studio led by an experienced creative executive, particularly if they are reviewing agency partners. However, the announcement does not indicate a major market shift, widely applicable capability, or material change to how most marketing teams operate.

Campaign Brief reports that senior creative duo Anais Read and Katelyn Testa have departed HERO after less than a year at the agency. The item is routine personnel-movement news, with no further reason for the departure supplied.

Why it matters: Agency leaders, clients and talent competitors may want to track senior creative movement and potential account or leadership implications. For most marketers, however, this is a niche staffing update rather than a consequential industry development.

Barbara Humphries is departing her role as Co-Chief Creative Officer at Droga5 ANZ after more than a decade with the agency. Campaign Brief reports that her next move has yet to be revealed.

Why it matters: Agency leaders, competitors and recruiters may want to track potential account, talent or leadership changes at Droga5 ANZ. For most marketers, however, there is little immediate action or strategic consequence beyond monitoring the individual’s next move.

Brent Liebenberg has departed Brisbane agency Khemistry after more than five years as executive creative director. The supplied evidence does not identify a successor or indicate implications for clients or the wider agency market.

Why it matters: Khemistry staff, clients, competitors, and agency talent may want to track the leadership change, but it is unlikely to materially affect most marketers or warrant prominent briefing placement without further information about the successor or account impact.

Howatson+Company has appointed Zac Pritchard as executive creative director. He joins from Dentsu Creative, where he became ECD in October 2025 after progressing from creative director to group creative director.

Why it matters: Agency leadership moves can signal talent movement and may matter to clients, competitors, and recruiters tracking creative capability. However, the supplied evidence supports limited, mainly local and agency-specific significance rather than a major briefing item.

Romanca Mundrea has left her role as head of production at Droga5 and is now available for freelance executive-producer work. The personnel move is most relevant to agency contacts, production partners and marketers who know the agency.

Why it matters: Production partners, agency contacts and marketers who have worked with Droga5 may want to update relationship records or consider a newly available senior freelance executive producer. For most marketers, however, the development has limited strategic or immediate operational consequence.

Selleys has launched Undo Glue with branding and packaging created by independent brand agency Bulletproof. The trade-press report offers a limited but potentially useful example of product differentiation and identity development.

Why it matters: Brand and packaging professionals may find the Undo Glue positioning and execution useful as a case study in product differentiation. For most marketers, however, there is little immediate action or strategic consequence.