WPP AUNZ merges production agencies to launch super group
WPP AUNZ has launched advertising production company Hogarth Australia after merging four of the group’s production agencies into a “super production group”.
Justin Ricketts will lead the newly launched production agency Hogarth Australia
WPP agencies Agile, One20, Paragon and Carnival have been consolidated into the new company, which will be led by CEO Justin Ricketts, who is also CEO of WPP AUNZ content agency Agile and chairman of sponsorship and PR agency Prism.
Ricketts will work alongside Hogarth Australia’s new COO David Fleer, who was previously managing director of One20.
The move is the latest in a strong of agency consolidations by WPP AUNZ after the group’s CEO Mike Connaghan told The Drum more mergers were on the horizon in 2017.
In the last 12 months, WPP AUNZ has merged design businesses Landor and Designworks, combined local digital shop White with advertising agency Grey and merged digital agencies DT and AKQA. It has also launched
The new “super production group” brings together more than 80 staff and will offer a full-service production capability including TV, radio, print, out of home, mobile and digital, as well as production technology.
Hogarth Australia will join the production company’s global network which has more than 2,500 staff in 25 offices around the world.
Mike Connaghan, CEO WPP AUNZ said the move would enable the company to “lead the way in content production in Australia and further solidify our leadership position in the region.”