PR News
Manifest Group forges new global independent agency collective

Manifest Group forges new global independent agency collective

Global brand communications agency, Manifest, has launched a new international indie agency network, The Etc. Collective, alongside founding members Loud, Openers and Mellakka, from Spain, Germany and Finland, respectively. Manifest's inclusion adds Australia, the UK, USA, and Sweden to its launch territories, with plans to recruit 20 independent agency members by May 2026.

The new agency network will offer commercial collaboration, shared services, cultural intelligence, and proprietary innovation, with the group able to provide a full gamut of integrated marketing services to shared clients across the globe.

Etc. will be managed independently through a member subscription, with a focus on equal representation for all members. Priority markets for member agencies include the Chinese, Singaporean, Indian, and South Korean markets in Asia, as well as other key markets in Europe, South America, and Africa.

Founder and Global CEO at Manifest, Alex Myers, commented: "Etc. is a collective of pioneering indy agencies that aren’t just reacting to the changing shape of our industry, but driving it. Far from the usual 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine' arrangement, or a dusty old network agency, Etc. is designed to provide a new model for brands seeking multi-territory, multi-disciplinary support. The collective shares knowledge, training, tools and innovations, as well as connected working processes and systems that make appointing the group as simple as appointing a single agency.

"It's the natural heir to what has become an increasingly redundant old order of global networks that are out of touch and unable to offer the agility needed by modern progressive brands. Across the world, the appetite for creative indy agencies has already overtaken the traditional 'surname and surname' networks, but the ability to execute large-scale global campaigns has remained a challenge - until now."

Previous story

Agent99 serves up new PR partnership with L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele

Next story

BrandStory announces new regional General Managers

You might also enjoy

Current
Industry update

Current Global MENAT fetches new pet care business win

Current Global MENAT has been appointed as the PR partner for Paws & Co., a new pet care, health and wellness business preparing to launch in the UAE.

The agency will lead the brand’s launch in the UAE, supporting the business’s ambition to create a connected pet healthcare ecosystem.

Peter Jacob, Managing Director, Current Global MENAT, said, “As a father of two dogs, I know first-hand that there isn’t a shortage of vets. With Paws & Co., this isn’t simply about another entrant into the market. Paws & Co. is founded on the idea of changing how people think about pet healthcare and building a brand and an experience designed around the needs of pets, pet parents and veterinary professionals.”

Matt Butterworth, Co-Founder Paws & Co. said, “For many pets and pet parents, the current process is fragmented, reactive and clinical yet the way people see their pets has changed, and frankly the veterinary experience hasn’t evolved at the same pace. From the beginning, we wanted to rip up the institutionalised playbook and build a pet healthcare experience that feels different. Pets are family, and their care should be personal, consistent and reassuring. In Pete and the Current Global team we have a partner that gets us and understands our intention and wider growth ambitions.”

TEAM
Industry update

TEAM LEWIS introduces integrated AI platform

TEAM LEWIS has launched version one of its AI operating system, Orbital (OS1), as part of its global offering. The platform is designed to connect insight, creativity, messaging and public-facing delivery.

Orbital combines data from across public relations, customer relationship management, paid media and web activity. It is structured around three pillars:

Intelligence
Orbital works with each organisation’s own data and context to identify the signals influencing reputation, demand and AI visibility.

Creativity
The platform helps teams turn insight into creative work, while preserving marketing judgement and originality.

Delivery
Orbital supports the people representing an organisation, spanning media interviews, keynote presentations and leadership moments.

Fairil Yeo, EVP of AI & Growth at TEAM LEWIS, said: “The advantage increasingly lies with organisations that can act quickly on what they already know. Orbital is designed to shorten the distance between insight and action - helping marketing and communications teams work more effectively across markets, channels and teams.”

Chief Operating Officer at TEAM LEWIS, Yvonne van Bokhoven, added: “Technology can connect information, but it cannot replace judgement. Orbital gives our specialists a clearer view of what matters, more quickly. The decisions - and the responsibility for making them well - remain human.”

Zac
Moves

Zac McLean trades journalism for government comms

Zac McLean has been appointed Strategic Communications Manager and Speechwriter for NSW Minister for Transport John Graham. He has wrapped up nearly five years at The Daily Telegraph, most recently as Head of News. Prior to this, Zac was Executive Producer of Ben Fordham Live at 2GB.