Initiative unveiled new senior leadership overseeing IAG account as the agency marks a new chapter for the agency-client relationship.
Luke Carmichael joins as Managing Partner, while long-standing team member Elle Galipienzo has been promoted to Group Business Director.
The agency responsible for media strategy, planning and buying across all channels for the organisation’s entire brand portfolio, including NRMA, CGU and WFI.
Initiative CEO Jo McAlister said: “We’re excited to offer IAG a new highly skilled and energised team. With Luke and Elle in senior leadership roles, we’re bringing even greater firepower to help IAG achieve its ambitious transformation agenda.
“Our long-standing and ongoing partnership with IAG has delivered exceptional, results-driven work from the acclaimed Bruce Highway Upgrade campaign to the launch of A HELP COMPANY during the Paris Olympics. These campaigns haven’t just built brand awareness they have resulted in real-world behavioural change across communities, and having Elle and Luke at the helm, will add new perspectives and skillsets to the account.”
Carmichael brings extensive experience across client leadership and digital innovation, most recently serving as Head of Client Service at Carat and prior to that as Head of Advertiser Partnerships at Samsung Ads.
He was also Agency Lead at Google where he honed his skills building strategic partnerships and digital development.
Carmichael said of his new role: “I’m excited to join Initiative and lead the IAG business through its next growth phase.
‘IAG is an iconic Australian organisation with bold ambitions and our focus will be to deliver connected, data-driven strategies that drive meaningful commercial outcomes, while further elevating Initiative’s reputation as a partner of impact.”
Galipienzo, who has been with Initiative for more than eight years, takes on senior client service responsibilities for IAG as Group Business Director.
She brings cross-functional experience to the role, spanning investment, comms planning and client leadership across major brands including ING, Officeworks and Woolworths Insurance.
McAlister added: “Elle is a powerhouse talent with a proven track record of client success and a passion for purpose-driven work. She’s ready to take on a more elevated role and IAG presents the perfect opportunity for her to do just that.”
Initiative has been IAG’s media AOR – excluding social and performance which are managed in-house – since 2021.
Top image: Luke Carmichael and Danielle Galipienzo