16898: AI & A-Holes.

 

More About Advertising noticed B&T—Australia’s leading publisher for advertising, media, marketing, and PR news—ran a story on Omnicom planning to acquire IPG.

 

The content featured an Adobe Firefly-rendered portrait of WPP CEO Mark Read, Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun, and S4 Capital Overlord Sir Martin Sorrell (depicted above).

 

Much has been published on how AI fails diverse audiences; however, the B&T image demonstrates White men benefit from the technology—especially based on the portrayal of Sir Peanut.

 

George Parker commented, “Is that how the ‘Poisoned Dwarf’ AI’s himself before hitting [Shepherd Market]?”

16803: Pepsi Campaign Sucks To The Max.

 

Special Group—a White advertising agency in New Zealand—explains this Pepsi Max campaign as follows:

 

The ‘Tastes OK’ campaign is the latest iteration of the established Pepsi Max ‘Tastes Better’ brand platform. It highlights a design flaw that's been hiding in plain sight in the name of the brand’s biggest competitor, reminding Australia that food tastes better with Pepsi Max.

 

The campaign not only leaves a bad taste, it revives old Coca-Cola lines:

 

• Coca-Cola…Makes Good Things Taste Better (1956)

 

• Things Go Better With Coca-Cola (1963)

 

Additionally, given how Coca-Cola is very protective of its copyrighted branding, did the campaign actually run—or is it a scampaign? Can’t imagine The Coca-Cola Company’s legal team would be ok with depicting Diet Coke cans in a Pepsi creative platform.

 

In short, these advertisements suck to the max.

 

 

16799: The Silent Exit Seeks To Make A Loud Entrance.

Campaign Asia spotlighted a study conducted by the Experience Advocacy Taskforce (EAT)—released ahead of Ageism Awareness Day—which focused on the growing concern around ageism in Australia’s advertising industry. “The Silent Exit” examined the exodus of older employees—via reluctant resignation, redundancy, or reduction in force—at White advertising agencies and media enterprises.

 

Not sure how Adland Down Under compares to Adland in the US and UK, but the wailing and gnashing of dentures appears to be similar.

 

The suggested “solutions” mirror those concocted to address racial and ethnic inequality in the global industry. Additionally, EAT officials strongly recommend integrating ageism into overall DEIBA+ initiatives and heat shields. As such proposed measures will likely be enthusiastically embraced and executed by Adland elders, expect Old White Guys and Old White Gals to leapfrog people of color in the imperative for diversity, equity, inclusion, etc.

 

Around the world, it’s the same old story—systemic racism advances with age.

 

Side Note: The royalty-free stock image illustrating the Campaign Asia content (depicted above) was inverted, resulting in ‘EXIT” appearing backwards. Wonder if the responsible editorial designer was an inexperienced newbie or inattentive veteran.

 

The silent exit: Why ageism in advertising continues to force out senior talent

 

As adland grapples with an ageing workforce, a new study by the Experience Advocacy Taskforce reveals the exodus of seasoned professionals, driven by age bias and structural challenges.

 

By Rahat Kapur

 

Ahead of Ageism Awareness Day on October 9, a new study by the Experience Advocacy Taskforce (EAT) in partnership with Advertising Industry Careers (AIC) sets out the ongoing challenge of multigenerational workforce management in Australia’s advertising industry.

 

The report highlights the quiet but significant departure of professionals aged 45-54, pointing to age bias and structural barriers as primary contributors.

 

Surveying 130 former professionals from full-service agencies, media agencies, creative agencies, and media owners, the report shows that over half (51.54%) of these exits occur in the mid-career age bracket of 45-54. Even more concerning, nearly 70% of those who entered the industry as ‘young guns’—starting their careers between 18 and 24—have left prematurely. These individuals are not retiring but often being squeezed out by an industry increasingly focused on younger talent.

 

Owen Joyce, chief operations officer of AIC, told Campaign: “Senior people can sometimes dismiss new trends—TikTok is a great example—and this may make them appear set in their ways. There’s a perception that younger people better understand the social platforms because they spend a lot of time on them personally, but the survey respondents indicate this is less than 2%.”

 

The findings challenge common industry assumptions, particularly the belief that older professionals struggle with digital advancements. Fewer than 2% of respondents cited an inability to adapt to the digital age as their reason for leaving. A far larger group (35.38%) left due to involuntary redundancies, revealing the disproportionate impact of economic pressures on experienced employees. Stress and burnout, typically associated with mid-career exits, accounted for around 10.77% of cases, with a similar percentage moving to client-side roles.

 

Greg ‘Sparrow’ Graham, founder of the EAT, noted that this exodus, while understated, signals a deeper issue: “The ‘silent exit’ is a wake-up call. To remain competitive, the industry must value the expertise and contributions of seasoned professionals and collectively work together to make age a non-issue for the next generation.”

 

Beyond redundancies, the report delves into recruitment challenges. Despite 23.08% of those who left senior roles still seeking work in advertising, many face significant barriers, including being ‘ghosted’ by recruiters. One respondent, aged 50-54, shared their frustration: “I applied for 200+ jobs. How many interviews do you think I got? Zero.”

 

While 70% of respondents expressed a willingness to take roles below their previous level, showing a continued passion for the industry, this raises concerns about the long-term health of the workforce. Joyce observed: “When advertisers turn their budgets back on, everyone will need to grow their teams, and often poaching, above-market salaries, and unsustainable perks result. AIC believes there is merit in looking at ways to manage these inevitable peaks and troughs, so that removing senior people isn’t seen as a quick way to find cost efficiencies.”

 

The report also highlights the pervasive ‘move up or move out’ mentality within the industry, where seasoned professionals face pressure to continuously advance or risk being pushed out. This mindset, combined with structural ageism, leaves many over 40 feeling undervalued or irrelevant, despite their expertise, leading to an unnecessary loss of talent.

 

This challenge is not just confined to Australia. Across Asia Pacific, more young people are grappling with whether advertising is the right career path, contributing to the broader problem of managing a multigenerational workforce.

 

Linda Robson, EAT committee member and founder of The Hummingbirds, who spent 17 years working across Asia, highlighted these regional differences. She told Campaign: “In Australia, we’re seeing a talent drain over 40, but I suspect it may be even younger in some markets. I remember running a treasure hunt activity in Vietnam as part of a training energiser. One of the tasks was ‘find someone over 40’. We had over 70 people in the workshop at the time, and they couldn’t find a single person over 40. For the record, the only person who qualified was me.

 

“In those 17 years, working across 13 countries, I didn’t go to a single retirement party, and there were plenty of colleagues who left because of involuntary redundancies. So, what does that tell you?”

 

To address this talent drain, the report suggests businesses must eliminate age bias in hiring, develop creative strategies to retain experienced professionals, and provide tailored support and career pathways for those not seeking to climb the corporate ladder. Prioritising retention of senior talent and integrating ageism into DEI initiatives are essential steps to fostering a sustainable, multigenerational workforce.

 

“Perhaps this is something that needs more attention from diversity and inclusion teams. It’s also worth professionals themselves understanding when they are at risk and being proactive. Clearly it is imperative we offer greater support and career pathways for our more experienced workforce,” concluded Joyce. “Embracing the expertise of those over 40 is essential to fostering innovation and resilience within our field.”

 

Source: Campaign Asia

16492: IPG $$$ WTF.

 

MediaPost reported IPG sold two White advertising agencies—Hill Holliday and Deutsch New York—to Attivo Group, a White marketing services group with offices across Australia and New Zealand.

 

The scenario underscores a lot of peculiarities with White holding companies and the industry overall. For example, Deutsch New York was sold, but Deutsch LA stays in the IPG outhouse. Who gets stuck with Donny?

 

Both shops in the sale retain their respective leadership and remain affiliates of IPG. Of course, much will change once redundancies are identified and sorted out.

 

Employees in all three enterprises can expect to experience more bouncing than a kangaroo—and more annoyance than the Qantas Koala.

 

IPG Sells Hill Holliday, Deutsch NY to New Zealand Marketing Group Attivo

 

By Steve McClellan

 

Interpublic has sold two of its longstanding iconic agency brands—Hill Holliday and Deutsch New York—to Aukland, New Zealand-based Attivo Group, the firm’s announced Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deals mark Attivo's expansion into the U.S.

 

Both agencies will continue to operate with their current leadership, under their own brands, and each agency will maintain an affiliate relationship with Interpublic Group (IPG), “with ongoing access to many of the holding company’s resources,” the firms stated in a press release announcing the deal.

 

Going forward, the agencies will also draw on the “leadership, expanded resources and capabilities of Attivo,” per the announcement.

 

Launched in 2020, Attivo is headed by Cam Murchison and owns a number of communications and marketing agencies. With a longstanding relationship with IPG, Attivo most recently acquired IPG’s Australia’s 303 MullenLowe, and invested in Mediahub Australia in 2021.

 

Attivo also owns Harvey Cameron, Farrimond, Gorilla Studios, Rhubarb Lane and Rainmakers.

 

“We’re incredibly excited to have Hill Holliday and DNY join the Attivo family” stated Murchison. “Both are world-class agencies with amazing pedigrees that have made a tremendously positive impact on the communications landscape in the U.S.” said Attivo Group CEO Cam Murchison.

 

He added that both agencies “have many iconic brands with decades-long relationships as testament to their singular focus on client success. The outstanding leaders at both agencies have a strong desire to further grow their businesses and share Attivo’s entrepreneurial spirit and challenger mindset.”

 

Added IPG CEO Philippe Krakowsky, “We’re excited for Cam and his team at Attivo to move Hill Holliday and DNY forward, with affiliate relationships to IPG. Attivo is a trusted partner with whom we have successfully managed affiliate relationships over the years in other world regions.”

 

Krakowsky noted that Deutsch LA, which has operated separately from Deutsch New York since 2020, is not part of the deal.

 

“Hill Holliday was founded by four bold-thinking, ground breaking entrepreneurs,” stated agency CEO Chris Wallrapp. “Today, we embody their spirit and mindset as the agency embarks on a new chapter in our 55-year legacy of building iconic brands.”

 

Wallrapp added, “Attivo’s investment in Hill Holliday’s future gives our agency and employees tools to innovate, unique flexibility in how we grow our business and strategic advantages for our clients. At a time of uncertainty for many well-known agency brands, this move is also a strong vote of confidence in the power and endurance of the Hill Holliday name.”

 

Deutsch New York CEO Val DiFebo added, “We are thrilled to be one of the pioneer agencies that will benefit from Attivo’s investment in our talent and our future... We see this as the best of both worlds as we become part of a new start-up, and still maintain our association with IPG, now as an affiliate.”

14841: Overreaction Of The Week.

This campaign promotes proper etiquette for public transportation riders in Australia. Okay, but why does the brown egg have to be shown playing loud music and sporting big lips?

14770: Kellogg’s Loves Farmers Down Under; Underrepresented Farmers Are Another Story.

This Kellogg’s campaign stresses the cereal maker’s appreciation and commitment for Aussie farmers. Wonder how much support Kellogg’s has shown to Black farmers. It’s safe to say the dedication is not Gr-r-reat!

14606: We Are Unlimited Bullshit Artists Worldwide.

AgencySpy posted on the hiring of new Executive Creative Director Derek Green, who will oversee the Mickey D’s business at We Are Unlimited. Two paragraphs warrant commentary:

According to the agency’s own writeup, Green will work to “expand the agency’s creative ambitions for the McDonald’s client” while also tending to all those other unnamed pieces of business. He reports to CCO Toygar Bazarkaya.

The Australian native arrives after spending nearly 4 years at Ogilvy in Sydney and a whopping 9 months on “paternity leave”—because unlike our United States, Australia treats its citizens like actual human beings.

First, it’s interesting to note that the agency’s “creative ambitions” continue to ignore DDB Global President and CEO Wendy Clark’s restless ambition to create a diverse workplace. Although maybe Clark thinks bringing in White men from other continents is diversity.

Second, not sure what the AgencySpy hack was thinking when typing, “…unlike our United States, Australia treats its citizens like actual human beings.” Tell it to the indigenous citizens and people of color from the land down under.

14528: Publicis In Australia Is Culturally Clueless—Whoop! (There It Is)

Publicis in Australia, is it really right to use comic book renderings for a potentially serious public health crisis? Injecting sexist imagery into each scene is not right either. The lack of diversity, on the other hand, is painfully right.

14137: Bring Out The Hacks.

The Brand Agency in Australia is responsible for this video promoting Portfolio Night via The One Club, recreating the classic “Bring Out The Gimp” scene from Pulp Fiction. Except for adland, the bound characters are both White men and the lead captor is a White woman. It’s Pulp Fact, as opposed to Pulp Fiction.

13541: V Is For Vomit.

Not sure what inspired this clichéd and contrived campaign for V Energy Drink by TKT in Australia. But a peek at the agency team indicates it could be a case of cultural cluelessness from White people who love hip hop.

13288: Banjo Bigot Bullshit.

AgencySpy posted on a story from Australia’s number one news site—news.com.au—detailing how a White advertising agency in Sydney told a Sri Lankan applicant that the company already has enough “brown skin people” on staff. Executives from the shop—Banjo—insist the remark was a “light-hearted” (and probably light-skinned) joke meant to put the job seeker at ease. Guess a firm denial and rejection form letter wouldn’t have sufficed. Of course, Banjo doesn’t hesitate to put Rick Ross on its website to communicate the company’s greatest respect for the diversity of abilities. AgencySpy opened its post by declaring, “As embarrassing as some of the recent controversies surrounding women and people of color in American ad agencies have been, a story from Australia this week pretty much takes the fucking cake.” Um, if AgencySpy were a legitimate trade journal—with actual credibility and expertise in the advertising industry—it would realize the incident from Down Under is a fucking routine occurrence in the United States.

Australian Agency Tells Sri Lankan Applicant That It Already Has Enough ‘Brown People’

By Patrick Coffee

As embarrassing as some of the recent controversies surrounding women and people of color in American ad agencies have been, a story from Australia this week pretty much takes the fucking cake.

Dana McCauley of The News rightly asks, “WHAT is it with advertising agencies this week?” in reporting on an incident that occurred at Banjo, an independent agency based in Sydney that scored coverage in Adweek back in 2009 for a PSA that compared bowel cancer to a terrorist attack.

Freelance account director Surungi Emily Hohol was interviewing for a job at Banjo when, according to a Facebook post quoted by The News, an unnamed senior executive said the following:

“The client might be alarmed by having three brown skin people attend a meeting.”

This executive meant to say that, because the agency already employed two other “Indian” staffers, it would not be offering Hohol a job. (She is Sri Lankan.) It’s unclear whether this individual was referencing a specific client.

After seeing the post, agency managing partner Andrew Varasdi called an emergency meeting and spoke directly to Hohol. The agency now claims—again according to The News—that this was a “light-hearted” joke that led to “an unfortunate misunderstanding.” The agency offered a formal apology and stated that, while the executive in question has not been disciplined, he/she is “deeply upset” and is currently receiving some form of counseling.

The statement also read:

“The senior staff member, who conducted what was a very positive interview, made a casual remark at the end of the interview, which was intended to set the person at ease. Unfortunately it was taken out of context and has since gained some notoriety on social media.”

It’s unclear how this comment could have possibly been intended to make Hohol feel “at ease” given that it meant she would not be getting the job.

Banjo went on to say that it employs a diverse array of talent, adding: “We hope that we will be judged on our record, and that all candidates who consider joining us at Banjo will do so too.”

We have reached out to Hohol on Facebook and will update this post if we hear back from her.

12845: Shitty Toilet Humor.

The creatives responsible for this Australian Imodium campaign should be set free—that is, let go.

From Ads of the World.

12027: Black Barista Bounces Back.

From The Sydney Morning Herald in New South Wales, Australia…

Black barista Nilson Dos Santos finds work after being refused job at Darlinghurst café

By Michael Koziol

It’s an outcome that might be called karma. The cafe owner who refused to employ a black man has closed his business; the man he wouldn’t hire has found full-time work.

Nilson Dos Santos, 37, made international news last week when he was denied a job at Darlinghurst cafe Forbes & Burton because he was black.

“My customers are white and they don’t like to have black people making coffee for them,” owner Steven He told him.

Now Mr Dos Santos has found work at a less discriminatory employer, taking a barista job at Taylor Square bar and cafe Coco Cubano. Thursday was his first day and he said he was happy and excited to be back behind the machine.

“I feel comfortable and [I’m] just really looking forward to a new beginning. I’m very positive about the future,” he said.

Mr Dos Santos is Brazilian but has worked as a barista in Australia for nine years. He was out of full-time work for three months and struggling with bills when he was rejected by the Forbes & Burton cafe. When he told customers what had just happened, some walked out immediately, joined by a member of staff.

Since the news broke, Mr Dos Santos has had about 40 job offers from cafes all over the city.

“I’m really happy to have a new job. I know what it looks like when you don’t have a job,” he said.

Forbes & Burton has now apparently closed and Mr Dos Santos wants to help its former staff members find employment.

“I just felt really, really sad because I keep stopping [to] think about how many people lost their jobs,” he said. “I just broke down and cried because I was really emotional about it.”

Coco Cubano manager Steve Sosah said he was happy to have Mr Dos Santos join his team, which welcomed all-comers.

“Nilson’s got such a great and positive energy,” he said. “It’s all about bringing your own personality to the table, no matter who you are. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings.”

Mr Dos Santos is now enjoying a dose of celebrity in the Darlinghurst area. He has been recognised by many people on the street, including an Aboriginal woman who congratulated him for speaking out against discrimination and asked to take him out to lunch.

“I love you, I’m so proud of you,” she told him.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is investigating Mr He’s conduct. Meanwhile, Mr Dos Santos is looking forward to putting the unpleasantness behind him. He will soon move to Paddington to live with his best friend and is content to be back in the job he loves.

“It’s much more than just the coffee — it’s about working with people, having a friendship with them, making them happy,” he said.

11950: Sex Harassment Down Under.

There’s something about this Australian campaign against sexual harassment that doesn’t feel right. It’s trying too hard to be clever with an unfunny subject. Plus, advertising people creating messages to fight sexual harassment demonstrates hypocrisy of the highest order. What’s next? Diversity recruitment ads?

From Ads of the World.

11574: Very Black Coffee.

ALDI in Australia expresses with stereotypes. G’day, muthafucker.

From Ads of the World.

11433: McBullshit From Down Under.

These Mickey D’s Happy Meal ads from Australia are total bullshit. Kids, you’re better off eating a VEGEMITE sandwich.

From Ads of the World.

11189: I Hate Qantas Ads.

Anybody else think it would have been more memorable—and adorable—to have dressed up the Qantas koala bear in cultural outfits from around the world?

From Ads of the World.

11160: Football Star Kicks Out Racist.

Australian soccer player gets girl, 13, removed after she calls him ‘ape’

TV footage shows Sydney Swans star forward Adam Goodes — an Aboriginal Australian — pointing out the teen racist to security. Goodes says it isn’t the first time he’s been called names during a game.

By Lee Moran / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

An Aussie soccer player confronted a racist teen fan who’d called him an ape — and had her escorted away from the game.

TV footage shows Sydney Swans star forward Adam Goodes — who is an Aboriginal Australian — calling out the 13-year-old who’d screamed out the word.

The 33-year-old is seen running past the girl — a fan of city rivals Collingwood — but then turning around and pointing her out to security.

She is then taken from her seat at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The incident, during Friday night’s bitter derby game, was seen by millions.

Goodes, whose side went on to win 15.12 (102) to 8.7 (55), said the abuse had rendered the victory “meaningless.”

“To come to the boundary line and hear a girl call me an ‘ape’, and it’s not the first time on a footy field I’ve been referred to as a ‘monkey’ or an ‘ape’, it was shattering,” he told ABC.

Cops questioned the girl, who has not been named, for two hours and she was released pending further inquiries.

She has since apologized to the football star, who revealed he would not be pressing charges and would prefer she undergoes an education program instead.

”It’s not her fault, she’s 13, she’s still so innocent, I don’t put any blame on her,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it’s what she hears in the environment she’s grown up in that has made her think that it’s OK to call people names,” he added.

In the aftermath, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard described Goodes as “someone we can all look up to.”

“His words and actions displayed the highest levels of respect and fairness — qualities he carries on and off the field,” she added.