Special Group, a takeover bid for WPP AUNZ, and the new Howatson + White

It all kicked off in adland this week. First came the news the WPP plc had made a takeover bid for the rest of the shares in WPP AUNZ. The move would bring the local business in line with the global operations and strategy, but the announcement wasn't a surprise to the market. If it were to go through the team speculates what happens to the original agencies that were part of the STW family, and what will become of CEO Jens Monsees?

There will be a new independent player in town come February next year, following the announcement that CHE Proximity CEO Chris Howatson and chief creative officer Ant White are leaving the agency to open their own shop. How have they done it? Are there any clients involved? One thing is for sure, the industry is rife with gossip.

And how did Special Group go about setting up offices in Melbourne and the US in the height of COVID? Founding partners Lindsey Evans and Cade Heyde gave an insight into the process, noting talent was everything when it came to setting the culture. With the agency going from strength to strength the pair looked ahead to the future of independent agencies and the talent bubble in Australia.