Aegis Media launches The Activations Division to be headed by Apollo Marketing founder Will Riley

Aegis Media has announced the launch of The Activations Division, a new division within Australia and New Zealand. It comprises the previously existing but separately managed business units Apollo Marketing, Synergy and Impact and will focus on creating brand building campaigns that encourage consumers, shoppers and the trade to support clients’ brands.

The new division is headed by Will Riley (left) as managing director of Activations. He founded Apollo Marketing in New Zealand in 1997 and expanded the business to Australia in 1999.

Apollo is Australasia’s most awarded promotional agency and works with key clients including Foster’s, Coca-Cola, Nestle and Kellogg’s in Australia and DB Breweries, Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Panasonic in New Zealand. It was acquired by Aegis Media in 2007.

New Zealand agency Synergy specialises in brand experience, sampling and merchandising. Impact is an experiential marketing agency which has been a market-leader in Australia since it was one of the first specialist brand activation agencies to launch here in 2000.

Says Riley: “Apollo, Synergy and Impact are extremely complimentary businesses and it makes sense to house them within one division which is dedicated to helping our clients reach their consumers through engaging experiences that drive a deeper brand connection, especially at the point of purchase.

“As part of the largest communications group in the region, we are uniquely placed to leverage the trend towards results-based consumer and shopper engagement that drives awareness and converts interest into measurable business results.

“We will continue to deliver award-winning and effective work for our clients and they’ll have the additional benefit of the new opportunities that the synergies of our Activations businesses will deliver. We are looking to drive strong growth in the Activations division through our existing clients, Aegis Media clients broadly and via acquisitions.”

Several staff promotions have also been announced within Apollo. Ruth Money has been appointed managing director for both Australia and New Zealand, Richard Woods to general manager Australia and Lizzie Pobiega to senior group account director.

Cate Darcy has been appointed general manager of Impact and Richard Chapman, formerly managing director, has moved into the newly created role of Aegis Media group business development director in Melbourne.