GroupM Brings Media, Content and Brands Together at NextM

Sydney, 25 September 2019: GroupM is bringing media, content and brands together to showcase the next big, bold, moves in content where advertisers can tap into media partnerships to drive emotional connections and earn the attention and engagement of consumers.

With top clients invited from across Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker and Essence, NextM explores the future of content advertising and is designed to inspire ideas, ignite conversations and deliver new concepts and original thinking.

Venessa Hunt, GroupM Digital Strategy & Investment Officer, says: “We’re at an inflection point in the evolution of media, platforms and technology. Consumer behaviours are changing and brands need to look for new ways to meaningfully connect with their audience, make an impact and convey the values they represent. Guests will be immersed in experiences and content opportunities to get them ready for a future where online and offline worlds converge.”

On September 25 & 26 in Sydney, NextM saw intimate groups of CMOs and marketing leaders journey through 7 engaging Partner Zones created by Verizon, News Corp, Instagram, Seven West Media, LinkedIn, NRL and Cinegame – an exclusive GroupM product in partnership with Val Morgan. Each partner’s dedicated branded area will offer a bespoke interactive experience to inspire guests on new ways of engaging consumers with storytelling on their platforms.

Mark Lollback, GroupM Australia & New Zealand CEO, says: “Everything we do at GroupM is to Inspire Excellence. GroupM seeks to offer our clients a better understanding of trends and insights into new ways of working. NextM will showcase access to innovations and opportunities that can transform their business. We’re thrilled to have partnered with some of the biggest and most influential companies in Australia on this.”

The event has been created by PLAY, WPP AUNZ’s events agency dedicated to creating incredible experiences for brands, businesses and consumers.

The inaugural invite-only NextM event is part of GroupM’s Thought Leadership Calendar, designed to expose clients to innovative thinking and help them navigate the complex media & marketing landscape. NextM is complemented by mLead, our CMO leadership series. Alongside the event, GroupM is hosting a bespoke dining experience in partnership with Broadsheet.

More about our Partner Zones

Verizon RYOT Studio will share their secrets, that you can use, to creating best in class branded content campaigns. Paul Sigaloff Verizon ANZ Managing Director ANZ says: “Verizon Media’s branded content arm RYOT Studio, is at the forefront of unique storytelling which is why we’re very excited to share our expertise through the NextM program. RYOT pushes the boundaries of the branded content space, harnessing the latest tech innovations to unlock new and exciting storytelling formats. The future of content advertising always places the audience first and we’re looking forward to sharing how we do this at Verizon Media.”

News Corp Australia will showcase powerful new ways that customers can connect their brands with local communities and regional Australia. Managing director, national sales Lou Barrett says: “We are delighted to be part of NextM where we will showcase our national community and regional innovation story. As one of the largest local area content marketing channels in Australia we engage with more locals than ever before. We look forward to sharing how, through the reach and trust of our brands and our market leading audience targeting and campaign activation platform News Connect, customers can work with us and our engaged audiences, to maximise outcomes for their brands.”

Seven West Media explores the impact of technology on the future of broadcast and publishing and how bridging the gap between content and commerce can create relevant and meaningful connections between brands and consumers. Seven West Media Chief Revenue Officer Kurt Burnette, says: “GroupM have identified Australia’s most exciting and innovative media businesses and we’re proud to be presenting as a part of NextM and applaud GroupM for the initiative. Seven West Media’s vision is to be a relevant, sustainable and influential Media Company. Rapidly evolving to meet consumer and advertising needs for now and the future. Creating the best customer experiences with powerful content and storytelling combined with all forms of advanced advertising and transactions.”

“Our objective is to make the complex simple, yet highly effective, with a purpose to shape culture and change behaviour for all Australia. We’re partnering on NextM because we want to share that vision of the future and in turn collaborate with partners to debate, ideate and create that future for mutual success – not just as media partners but business partners.”

LinkedIn will demonstrate how B2B brands can win in the content space. Tapping into research findings from the Godfathers of Effectiveness Les Binet and Peter Field, clients will hear two of the key principles that can help marketers maximize growth and how to bring this to life on LinkedIn, the largest professional platform in the world.

NRL League Stars appeals to the true nature of kids, in all their messy, high energy, love of fun and play. Experience everything this all play, no contact, programme for boys and girls aged 5 – 12 has to offer on and off the field.

Kate Chapman, NRL Senior marketing manager says: “In League Stars, the NRL have built a fresh and engaging participation product that lives year round, in and after school and through school holidays. League Stars nurtures kids to find their strength. The approach uses the fundamentals of rugby league to improve the physical, social, cognitive and emotional health of Australian kids. We’ve created a partnership offering that will deliver empowering community content across multiple channels and we’re excited to showcase these opportunities in the sporting landscape at NextM.”

CineGame connects brands with the cinema audience, bringing interactive, social and mobile gaming to the big cinema screen to create unforgettable branded experiences.
Developed by Cinemataztic, an independent 2nd screen software company born out of the GroupM Nordic Media Incubator, Cinegame will launch Australia in partnership with Val Morgan Q1 2020 at selected Hoyts cinemas.

Mikkel Hagedorn, Co-founder of Cinemataztic and GroupM Nordics Head of Innovation, says: “We believe brands that find a way to become part of the media experience will earn a greater share of consumers’ attention, and engagement in a world of adblockers. At NextM we are presenting CineGame – a new native gaming format – engaging the cinema audience in branded content.

Broadsheet will bring its Broadsheet Kitchen to life in a special one-night only iteration, curating a bespoke menu and a short panel featuring special guest/restaurateur Chris Lucas. Broadsheet founder Nick Shelton says: “Broadsheet is excited to have been selected to participate in the NextM event and activate the CMO Dinner. We’re going to use this opportunity to give guests a taste of how we approach branded content by bringing a version of our off-platform project The Broadsheet Kitchen to life. Guests will be treated to a short panel—featuring special guest/restaurateur Chris Lucas—around the value of branded content. We’ll discuss how as a publisher we work with agency partners and clients to deliver bespoke solutions to briefs, and how this ultimately increases brand awareness, trust and affinity.”

Spotify is enhancing NextM’s morning refreshments with access to podcasts such as The Coffee Podcast, as well as their Coffee & Chill playlist.

GroupM is part of WPP AUNZ, Australasia’s leading creative transformation company.