Mediaweek
Vinyl Media

Our Sites

Network Partners

Lion, Reckitt and Mars Snacking join AiMCO

Three major brands join AiMCO as creator marketing moves deeper into Australia's mainstream marketing mix and brand mix.

By Natasha LeePublished Aug 26, 2026
3 min read
MW 270826 9PKN

Lion, Reckitt and Mars Snacking have joined the Australian Influencer Marketing Council (AiMCO).

The three companies are among AiMCO’s largest brand signings to date and join a membership spanning brands, agencies, platforms, creators and industry specialists.

Lion joins AiMCO

Lion Australia Cultural Collaborations Leader Andie Tickner said talent had become an increasingly important part of the company’s marketing, helping its brands connect with consumers across culture.

“Joining AiMCO gives us the rigour and best-practice framework to take the centre of excellence we’re building at Lion into its next evolution,” she said.

Tickner said the membership would also give Lion the opportunity to work more closely with brands and talent across the sector, share knowledge, and help develop influencer marketing standards in Australia.

mediaweek
Morning Report

The leading media trade publication in Australia.

Get our top stories straight to your inbox daily by signing up to our Newsletter

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services.

Lion’s portfolio includes Hahn, Stone & Wood, XXXX, Kirin Ichiban, Hyoketsu, Four Pillars Gin, Tooheys, Guinness and Heineken.

Reckitt expands industry involvement

Reckitt has also joined AiMCO, with Marketing Director ANZ Florence Paoli describing influencer marketing as a “strategic channel” for the business.

Paoli said creator partnerships allow Reckitt to reach consumers through established voices and communities across its health and hygiene portfolio.

She said joining AiMCO would support the company’s focus on best practice and responsible influencer marketing, while helping it develop new creator partnerships.

Reckitt’s Australian portfolio includes Finish, Nurofen, Gaviscon, Vanish, Dettol, Strepsils and Durex.

Mars Snacking signs on

Mars Snacking is the third major brand to join AiMCO, with its portfolio including M&M’S, Snickers, Maltesers, Skittles and Starburst.

Mars Snacking ANZ Brand PR and Social Influence Lead Lauren Lecordier said the partnership would support the company’s focus on earned-first campaigns and creator marketing.

She said working with AiMCO would allow Mars Snacking to collaborate with other industry organisations on best-practice standards and share insights with brands and agencies.

Lecordier said the company wanted to help “elevate other brand and agency partners on the same journey”.

AiMCO points to sector growth

AiMCO Managing Director Patrick Whitnall said the arrival of Lion, Reckitt and Mars Snacking reflected the growing role of influencer marketing in brands’ broader marketing activity.

He said the three companies joining AiMCO was a “significant endorsement” of the organisation and its work to improve education and professional standards across the sector.

“Their involvement demonstrates that influencer marketing is no longer a niche or emerging channel, but is now an increasingly important and effective part of the marketing mix,” Whitnall said.

He said there was “real momentum” behind influencer marketing in Australia, with AiMCO focused on translating that growth into a more professional and sustainable creator economy.

AiMCO is also preparing for its 2026 Awards and 2027 Summit. The summit will be held at Sydney’s Roundhouse in February 2027, with early-bird awards entries and summit tickets now available.

More from Mediaweek

mediaweek
Morning Report

The leading media trade publication in Australia.

Get our top stories straight to your inbox daily by signing up to our Newsletter

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services.