PR agency Host/Havas has signed accessories company Oroton as a new client.

Under the new partnership, Host/Havas will aid Oroton in rebranding and revising its business model after 80 years of operation. The work includes creating a long-term vision for the company, adoption of new tech solutions, and market research, said Oroton CEO David Kesby.

“Oroton is an iconic brand in Australia and we’re delighted to partner them on the next phase of their transformation. We will be working with multiple stakeholders across the business with the aim of reshaping how consumers see them today and into the future – an exciting challenge which we hope will have a significant impact on the Australian retail landscape,” said Host/Havas CEO Laura Aldington.

Taurus Marketing’s 23rd anniversary came and went with the grand opening of the company’s new Carrington office, as well as a full hand of new clients.

On the education front, Taurus is taking on representation for Sentral Education, Integricare, and The Academy Entrepreneurs. Sentral Education provides school management technology to network school administration and teachers with students and their parents for more academic efficiency. Integricare is a non-profit daycare/early education and family services provider. The Academy Entrepreneurs is a startup incubator offering full-degree business courses.

There were also previous clients who came back to rebuild partnerships. Former Wiggle Lauren Hannaford signed her fitness practice FHIT to Taurus’ consumer lifestyle portfolio. The company offers subscription-based online fitness programmes. Ian Woollett also signed up his new company, the Digital Lifecycle Group, where he is chairman and CEO.

“Our 23rd birt

Stellar Concepts has picked up PR representation for retail brands Universal Store and Glasshouse Fragrances.

For Universal Store, Stellar Concepts will spearhead the company’s Christmas campaign. Scheduled to kick off early next month, the work will involve online and in-store activities plus online influencer activations.

Under the Glasshouse Fragrances account, Stellar will create a brand-awareness campaign for promoting the company’s summer scent lineup to tie in with the holidays.

“We are proud to be working with two iconic Australian brands that have grown exponentially in the last decade and cemented themselves in the daily lives of many Australians,” said Stellar Concepts director Hayley Cole.

Greg Graham has exited WPP after three decades on the roster, most recently as group marketing director.

Graham said the time had come to leave and explore other ventures, but expressed intentions to return to WPP at some point in the future. His marketing experience started with JWT Melbourne, and his work eventually led to stints with Mindshare and Group M before taking on the WPP group marketing directorship in 2016.

“Over the past 30 years Sparrow has made an incredible contribution to the Group both with GroupM, and more recently working tirelessly as part of the WPP AUNZ leadership team to drive a cohesive marketing plan for the group. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Sparrow for his incredible long service and all that he has contributed over time,” said WPP AUNZ CEO Mike Monaghan, referring to Graham's nickname.

WA utility provider Synergy has chosen GPJ to be its new agency of record.

Under a new partnership, GPJ will be in charge of brand activation, strategy, experiential, production, and creative services for Synergy.

The move comes as Synergy, a provider of sustainable electricity and natural gas, is facing a dip in generation due to higher grid prices and increased installation of rooftop solar power systems, as reported on Renew Economy.  

“Our WA office is in a period of significant growth and this new business win continues the strong momentum we are enjoying. We are looking forward to working with the Synergy team and helping them in their commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for their expanding customer base,” said GPJ Australia MD Caleb Bush.

WPP agencies VML and Y&R will become a single entity called VMLY&R.

Slated for official commencement of business in early 2019, the new agency is being touted as a company that will offer clients a unified service for brand experience and advertising.

The merger was based on both agencies’ individual successes. VML has built a reputation for developing highly creative campaigns with a strong digital marketing component. Y&R is known for long-term approaches when working with client brands, some of them being Fortune 500 listers.

Current VML global CEO Jon Cook will assume the same role for VMLY&R. Former Y&R global CEO David Sable will be a non-executive chairman; he is also preparing for a new role in the WPP structure itself.

“This is incredibly exciting news. We have a stated ambition of fewer, bigger, better companies and to my mind VML Y&R has been an opportunity waiting to happen. Bringing together the Brand building and strategic prowess o

Edelman Australia is now the official PR provider of digital advertising company REA Group.

The new assignment will see Edelman handle REA Group brand and corporate communications duties.

Owned by News Corp Australia, the REA Group is known in the property circuit as the operator of realestate.com.au plus other websites in the US, Asia, and Europe.

The win comes off the heels of Edelman Australia landing the accounts for Deliveroo and Didi.