Omnicom has launched Omnicom Oceania, bringing together its media, creative, PR, performance marketing, and production agencies across Australia and New Zealand under a single leadership structure, led by Nick Garrett as CEO.
As CEO, he will work alongside brand agency leaders to deliver integrated solutions and a more seamless experience for Omnicom’s clients and their customers.
Garrett said: “My time in the consulting world showed me just how big the opportunity is to add creative problem solving and brand thinking further upstream into business strategy, and how agencies can positively influence more of the customer eco-system beyond marketing and comms.
“There is a huge amount of white space to grow into, and I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to the Omnicom family to continue to drive growth at an accelerated pace.”
Garrett returns to the holding company after four years at Deloitte Digital where he joined as a Brand & Creative Partner in 2021.
Within his first year he joined the Global Leadership team, later becoming Global CMO. Locally and internationally, he drove upstream consulting services at the intersection of creativity, technology and transformation. Before Deloitte, Garrett spent almost a decade leading BBDO agencies, Clemenger and Colenso and, prior to that, worked at TBWA in Sydney and LA.
The launch of Omnicom Oceania responds to an ever-changing landscape and deliver innovative solutions for clients as it has with models such as +61 for Telstra and Smith Street for Coles.
Omnicom Oceania will unite Omnicom Media Group and Omnicom Advertising Group.
John Wren, Omnicom Chairman and CEO, said: “Increasingly, clients in this market are looking for deep specialism and seamless integration. Recent Forrester wave reports have proven that Omnicom is the unrivalled leader across key marketing specialisations.
“We have successfully deployed these specialisations with many leading clients in the market, and this organisational shift accelerates our ability to deliver this model to more clients across the region.”
“We have the advantage of best-in-class capabilities and talent across practice areas, built on the foundations of world-leading data, AI, technologies and tools.
Wren added: “Nick’s deep knowledge of Omnicom and his advisory experience make him the ideal leader to orchestrate these capabilities and drive the growth ambitions of our clients.”
Mediaweek has contacted OMG Australia for comment.
ACCC clears path for Omnicom Interpublic merger
The launch of Omnicom Oceania and Garret’s appointment comess after the ACCC did not oppose Omnicom Group Inc’s proposed acquisition of The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.
The regulator found the deal is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the local supply of media buying, marketing, and communications services.
The ACCC noted that large global players such as WPP, Publicis, and Dentsu—as well as independent agencies—will continue to provide competition in the market.
Dr Philip Williams, ACCC Commissioner, said: “Our investigation found that while the proposed acquisition would result in an increase in the parties’ combined market share, other suppliers of media buying and marketing and communications services would continue to effectively compete with Omnicom after the acquisition.”
Top image: Nick Garrett