An ace planner, Colter has risen from media trainee to chief strategy officer in just a decade, and led the reinvention of a struggling agency. Away from work, Chris Colter is an enthusiastic race car driver. At work, though, he has put his speed and skill to great use rising from media trainee to chief

Initiative has announced the appointment of James Smyllie to the position of President Initiative APAC. An award-winning digital media leader with 20 years’ global and regional industry experience, the last 15 years in the APAC region; Smyllie joins from his prior role as Senior Vice President, Head of Media APAC at Essence where he spent

Upfronts season is about to kick off, and IPG media agency Initiative will be getting involved this year by shining a spotlight on less visible publishers which cater to niche audiences. The Forgotten Upfronts are open for the whole industry to attend and have been created to show off the opportunities that brands miss out on by

Initiative has followed recent wins of IAG and Afterpay with national media assignments from natural beauty and wellness marketer BWX and Quest Apartment Hotels. Both will be handled by Initiative Melbourne. Sarah James, managing director of Initiative Melbourne: “Both Quest and BWX are first-class marketers striving for excellence in their sectors. We are looking forward

David Burger is to take up the managing director role at Initiative Perth, replacing Luke O’Sullivan who resigned in June. Burger has 21 years’ experience in marketing communications in Australia, Japan, Germany, the Middle East and South Africa. Prior to his appointment to Initiative, Burger was head of client services at digital agency Be Media, where

Australian mental fitness charity Gotcha4Life is launching its most comprehensive communications platform via a national campaign produced by Initiative Studio. Gotcha4Life works to end suicide by delivering programs that create meaningful mateship, build emotional muscle, and strengthen the social connection in local communities. The charity was established as a not-for-profit foundation by media personality Gus

IPG Mediabrands’ Initiative has won the IAG media account. The insurance group, with brands CGU and NRMA Insurance, had been with WPP’s Mindshare since 2015. IAG CMO Brent Smart says the account hadn’t been reviewed in six years.“ “The Initiative team blew us away with their energy and cultural fit, but in the end, we want great media

Under-the-radar sharing over chat apps, social messaging and email have clouded sources of traffic and consumer sentiments for brands and publishers. While WhatsApp is in No 1 position boasting an average of 28.7 hours spent per month just on its platform, the messaging landscape is divided within SEA among others such as Zalo, LINE and