Bunnings, the Australian household hardware chain, has been found guilty of breaching the Privacy Act by the Privacy Commissioner for its use of facial recognition technology in a trial across 63 stores nationally. The system, implemented via CCTV, captured the faces of every person who entered 63 Bunnings stores in Victoria and New South Wales between November 2018 and November 2021.
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Consumer spending trails inflation, younger Aussies cut back says Commbank
The latest CommBank Cost of Living Insights Report reveals that consumer spending continues to trail inflation, with a focus on value and convenience. Online marketplaces, food delivery, and streaming services are leading the charge.
Brands should prioritise social issues to resonate with Australians: study claims
The Growth Distillery, in collaboration with The Research Agency, has released a study titled ‘Needs of the Nation’. The study aims to assist marketers in unlocking growth by identifying and prioritising social issues that resonate most with Australians. The study provides actionable steps to enhance corporate social responsibility (CSR), improve brand reputation, and deliver greater impact.
Beyond retail media: GroupM makes commerce play to connect brand-trade pools, measure ads to sales growth and dump ‘dumb’ ROAS metrics
GroupM is making a major play for commerce revenues as retail media continues to rise. Ex-Amazon and IPG Mediabrands’ Cadreon boss, Marc Lomas, is spearheading the play – along with former Goodman Fielder marketer Leah Jackson, who in her previous gig played a key role in handing trade marketing budgets as well as media to Initiative. Now at GroupM Commerce, the duo will be aiming to convince more brands to take a similar approach. But that requires proving incrementality – i.e. that media investments are leading to new sales and hard growth outcomes and linking measurement across all digital channels directly to the in-store shop floor. No mean feat, but Lomas, Jackson and Mindshare CEO Maria Grivas say they can do it. First port of call? Busting measurement mind-sets away from “dumb” ROAS metrics, per Lomas. Then convincing more brands that an integrated operating model that aligns sales, marketing, brand, ecom and retail media should no longer be an outlier.
Suncorp consolidates all creative, production with Publicis-Leo Burnett, WPP’s Ogilvy and Hogarth out – AI, efficiencies high priority
Suncorp’s CMO Mim Haysom confirmed the now insurance pureplay had consolidated its nine insurance brands with Publicis-owned Leo Burnett after a sweeping review of its creative and production partners in a strategic overhaul following the sale of Suncorp Bank to ANZ.
Toyota revs up ‘Toyota Go’ customer platform and loyalty program
R/GA Australia has launched a new customer platform and loyalty program for Toyota, named ‘Toyota Go’. The platform consolidates all of Toyota’s automotive products and services under one comprehensive membership and rewards umbrella.
Taronga’s Hatch accelerator program partners with LG Electronics to support eco-entrepreneurs
The Taronga Conservation Society Australia has announced LG Electronics Australia as the inaugural presenting partner for its annual Hatch start-up accelerator program.
Gen AI guardrails, social media innovation, sustainability among Kantar’s 10 trends for marketers in 2025
Safety over innovation around Gen AI, the puzzle of slowing population growth, a persistent underestimation of brand impact and the dominance of retail media networks are among Kantar’s top 10 trends for marketers to watch next year.
Westfield goes for festive feels with Christmas campaign
Westfield has launched its 2024 Christmas campaign, ‘Feels Like Christmas’, which includes three films that portray real stories from the community about the magic of the festive season.
Privacy regulator releases update for brands, publishers on tracking pixels, use of cleanrooms and data matching – then fines begin
Brands and publishers were put on notice yesterday that policing, fines and infringement notices are coming over the use, disclosure and consent required for tracking pixels on websites – and the likelihood that some user details in data matching and cleanroom processing is “personal information” and breaches current privacy legislation. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), which houses Australia’s Privacy Commissioner, this week published new advice on pixels and personal information, ahead of an enforcement crackdown flagged last month in Mi3’s podcast with Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind. The OAIC now has powers to impose substantial fines – up to $330,000 – and has signalled more aggressive policing. Privacy specialists urge brands and publishers to heed the warnings ahead of the new year.