Icon Agency launches new Canberra joint venture to target digital government transformation
Melbourne creative services group, Icon Agency, has today announced it has expanded into the ACT with the opening of Icon Agency Canberra.
Based in Deakin, Icon Agency Canberra is focused on the rapid increase in demand for transformational digital services arising from whole-of- government initiatives, including the Drupal-based govCMS platform.
The new business is a joint venture between Icon Agency founders Joanne Painter and Christopher Dodds (pictured), and respected Canberra-based developers Jason Guo and Joseph Zhao.
Icon’s managing director of digital, Chris Dodds, said he was excited to bring Icon’s integrated creative services model to the nation’s capital: “Icon Agency Canberra recognises that digital technology is transforming the very nature of Government. Government is rapidly moving to a digital-first operating model that requires user-centric design and integrated solutions spanning SaaS, web interfaces, tools, platforms, social media and digital content.
“With the launch of Icon Agency Canberra we bring a different perspective to traditional agencies in the ACT – one that seamlessly combines expertise in web development with digital content, social media, PR and creative services.”
Dodds said the coming together of Icon’s Melbourne and Canberra talent would be a bonus for clients: “Our award winning UX work and excellence in Drupal CMS has expanded with the inclusion of Jason and Joseph on the team. They’ve been core developers on the Department of Finance’s govCMS project, and we’re looking forward to rapidly scaling our ACT team to meet expected demand.”
Says Dr Jason Guo, director, Icon Agency Canberra: “At a territory level, the ACT Government is using digital technology to engage citizens in dialogue over key initiatives, and driving the development of the digital economy through the Digital Canberra Action Plan.
“With our wealth of experience and end-to-end capabilities we look forward to being a trusted partner for the ACT and Federal Governments in supporting their digital agendas.”
As the lead developers for the govCMS project since 2015, Guo and Zhao are at the forefront of these changes. Most notably they have been the key developers of the govCMS Drupal 8 distribution which will be available as a beta release later in 2017.
Today’s launch follows a number of recent wins for the multi award-winning agency including a new campaign for Yarra Trams, the launch of a new custom-built Software as a Service (Saas) platform for St Vincent Health Australia and the launch of the National Firearms Amnesty campaign for the Attorney General’s Department.
Last week Icon also announced it would expand its offering to include a dedicated Digital Content and Social Media division, headed by former Ogilvy PR Melbourne MD Adam Vincenzini.
Dodds said the decision to focus on digital services in Canberra was an opportunity to build on the agency’s extensive expertise in CMS development, in particular Drupal.
Says Dodds: “The Federal Government’s Digital Transformation Office is taking up the challenge to drive the agenda with a range of specific initiatives like govCMS, was well as a digitally savvy workforce.
“With our wealth of expertise at the very forefront of digital innovation, including Drupal CMS, Icon is strongly placed for growth in the ACT.”
Adds Guo: “Governments are rapidly moving to a digital-centric operating model that requires user-centric design and integrated solutions. Icon Agency Canberra will do much more than build great websites; we will help unlock the potential of digital government.”