PR News
Specsavers

Specsavers re-focuses earned comms in ANZ

Specsavers has consolidated its earned communications activity across Australia and New Zealand, appointing Ogilvy PR as its new agency partner after a competitive pitch process.

Ogilvy built a bespoke team for Specsavers with NZ agency One Plus One to deliver a response to support Specsavers across its strategic national consumer public relations plan, and will now lead earned integrated communications in both markets. As part of the appointment, Ogilvy PR has been tasked with further strengthening Specsavers’ brand presence and connection, working with other agency partners, including EssenceMediacom and TBWA.

Specsavers Australia & New Zealand Head of Awareness and Consideration, Anri McHugh said: “After a close-run pitch process, we selected Ogilvy for its earned-first strategic approach and commitment to fresh creative thinking, collaboration and shared values. We are very excited about what we can deliver together to ensure the Specsavers brand continues to change people’s lives through better sight and hearing.

“We would like to thank our incumbent PR agency partners - Mango NZ, AMPR, and Health Haus. We’ve had some unforgettable times with our incumbents through relationships spanning several years and many campaigns."

Ogilvy PR Australia’s Group Managing Director, Daniel Young said, "From our very first conversations, it was clear that we share a culture that puts people and creative ambition at the heart of everything we do. That alignment, teamed with our expertise across earned creativity, social and influence will be the foundation for daring, innovative, and culturally resonant work that delivers real impact.”

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Raffles Hotels & Resorts appoints regional PR agency for Asia

COMPANION COMMUNICATIONS has been appointed as the regional agency for Raffles Hotels & Resorts. The mandate encompasses public relations, marketing communications, strategic advisory, storytelling, partnerships, content creation, and crisis support for Raffles Hotels & Resorts in the Asian region.

This announcement comes after key hospitality wins at COMPANION in recent months, including the launch of Capella at Galaxy Macau in Macau, the launch of Andaz One Bangkok in Thailand, and the global retainer for Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong. In addition, the agency has held the regional PR retainer account for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for the past two years. 

Commenting on the news, Dominique Backhouse, Managing Director of COMPANION, remarked, "COMPANION leverages local knowledge and deep industry insights to give clients a competitive edge. We are thrilled to be appointed by Raffles Hotels & Resorts, a leader of hospitality globally, as we continue to work with some of the best brands within the sector."

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The client wins follow the agency's appointment of Michele Batchelor as Lead Consultant, Corporate. She brings more than 20 years of experience across American Express, Singtel, and Bloomberg. Michele supports the agency’s offering across corporate positioning, executive profiling, issues management, stakeholder engagement, and internal communications, while also bolstering its capabilities in lifestyle, hospitality, and F&B.

Eliza Marriott-Smalley, Founder of The MC Collective, said the new mandates reflect growing demand for senior-led, outcomes-focused communications across high-expectation categories.

Michele added, “I’ve led communications in complex, fast-moving environments and worked with agencies of every shape and size. What I value about The MC Collective model is the clarity and pace: senior people delivering strong thinking quickly, with no layers. It’s less like managing an agency, more like extending your own leadership bench.”

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