Melbourne boutique activations and brand experience agency ACTIV Brand Management has engaged Nine TV show The Block on a new undertaking. 

The deal involves developing new brand experiences for sponsorship engagement and a virtual event calendar. The centerpiece of the project is the so-called Brand Box, a pre-assembled gift package comprising drinks, snacks, and other treats from several Melbourne businesses, especially those in Brighton.

“The idea behind The Brand Box is to ignite multiple senses. We know that brand activations are 30% more impactful when two senses are engaged and this soars to 70% when three or more senses are ignited. Knowing this, our aim was to create a bespoke sensory journey that captured Brighton’s coastal ambiance, while helping to connect the virtual audience to ensure an engaging and impactful event for The Block and its sponsors,” said ACTIV founder Rebecca Burns.

VMLY&R Melbourne has collaborated with Earth Funerals on a new branding project.

The work involves rebuilding the brand under a new emphasis on sustainable resources and climate change and a logo of a plant springing from the ground. The end result is to offer Australians a cost-effective and environmentally sound funeral solution.

The rollout of the new identity will initially comprise a new website to go active in mid-2021. 

Originally conceptualized under Starfish Initiatives, Earth Funerals offers the division of acreage as a living memorial for deceased loved ones by encasing them in biodegradable coffins that would totally merge with the soil.

“From a brand identity and campaign perspective we’ve disrupted all category conventions by moving away from people-based imagery and using instead natural imagery that celebrates the environment,” said VMLY&R Melbourne Managing Partner Jon Kenyon.

“The launch of the new website is a vital step forw

The PR Hub has added new staff members to its stable.

The agency stated that Olivia Jarman and Trudy Scott are in as senior account managers.

Relocating to Sydney from Perth, Jarman returned to Australia last year after two years as fintech/technology accounts manager with UK agency Cryptoland.  Scott, meanwhile, has just finished up a senior PR manager role with Niche Marketing Group. 

Their entry followed The PR Hub’s new push into more B2B and B2C communications/branding services for tech-based clients. Recent signings include a new parking tech platform developer, a fitness centre franchise, and a major superfund for self-employed business operators.

“In recent months we have won some amazing new clients to add to the family, and I am thrilled to welcome both Olivia and Trudy to The PR Hub. As an independent agency that works with entrepreneurs, business leaders and disruptive companies, we embrace diverse thinking, new ideas and collaboration to ensure th

History Will Be Kind has landed representation for emergency response company Respond Global.

Mumbrella reported that the deal will cover the development of a communication strategy to promote Respond Global’s services in Australia.

Founded this year by Dr Ian Norton, Respond Global offers practical emergency management and infection prevention and control solutions for clients.

“Dr Ian Norton and the Respond Global team have been heavily engaged in the world-wide response to COVID-19 and have been responsible for managing some of the world’s largest outbreaks and disasters,” said History Will Be Kind MD Emma-Jane Granleese.

“We are proud to come on board to drive best practice communications for the organisation at this critical turning point for Australia, as we all learn to live with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future. It’s fantastic to be working with a brand with strong ambition and a vision like Respond Global. We can’t wait to make

Eleven PR has signed on as a co-agency of record for Horticulture Innovation Australia (AKA Hort Innovation), alongside TBWA Sydney, under a three-year contract.

Both agencies will render creative, social and PR services for Hort Innovation’s fresh produce brands.

Ikon and Atomic 212 are already assigned to media-related services for the company.

“This is a very important and exciting win for TBWA Sydney and Eleven. We are proud to be partnering with Hort Innovation to continue to drive choice, consumption and grow demand of Australian fresh produce, that are the envy of the world,” said TBWA ANZ CEO Paul Bradbury.

Aussie restaurant chain Red Rooster has signed up whiteGREY as its social media agency of record. 

The agency will spearhead Red Rooster’s branding through new content, social media marketing, and community engagement.

The client win delighted whiteGREY CEO Lee Simpson, knowing Red Rooster's reputation for a welcoming atmosphere and delicious food.

“whiteGREY will be bringing to life the fun-loving qualities of Red Rooster making everyday chicken moments synonymous with Australian’s sense of fun. We can’t wait to get started and also enjoy some great tasting chicken along the way,” he said.

Lifestyle PR agency Tailor Maid Communications (TMC) has been purchased by creative outfit Bashful.

The deal calls for Bashful to acquire a 50 per cent stake in TMC and integrate both agencies’ personnel at Bashful’s headquarters in Potts Point, Bashful House. TMC will be also rebranded under a new website and logo (pictured). The purchase was borne out of successful collaborations by both companies in recent years.

Sally Brown and Chrissy Biasotto will stay on as TMC’s co-directors. 

“This partnership further strengthens our position in the market. Our agency needed a larger team with a broader skill set, offering our clients an agency with the full-service package,” said Brown.