Initiative takes over as media agency for Priceline Pharmacy

Initiative has won the media services account for Priceline Pharmacy following a three-month competitive pitch.

The agency's remit will encompass the pharmacy brand's media strategy, planning and buying for offline and online, including display, performance and addressable.

Initiative national MD Sam Geer said of the win: "We are ecstatic to be working with yet another iconic Australian brand. Priceline’s appetite for digital transformation and extensive bricks and mortar footprint make them an aspirational and perfect partner for Initiative.

"This partnership further advances our market-leading retail portfolio and offering, adding the culturally powerful verticals of health and beauty. The potential to create career-defining work together is very exciting, and both parties have the ambition and hunger to achieve it," he added.

Sarah James, managing director, Melbourne said: "Our strategic capability and understanding of Priceline’s business, coupled with our market-leading tools and clear passion and energy were key factors in influencing Priceline to appoint Initiative as its media partner. This is a brand that clearly believes in having a strategic long-term plan to drive growth and we’re excited to work with Priceline to achieve their objective.

"Australia’s media landscape is evolving fast, and we are proud to be bringing our market leading approach to benefit Priceline,” James added.

Gabrielle Tully, Priceline’s head of marketing, said: "We’re very excited to work with the Initiative team. We loved Initiative’s progressive approach which will help us attract and engage new customers to achieve growth plans.

"Their team impressed us by demonstrating advanced data and tech capabilities paired with strategic media thinking that will help optimise our media investment. We’re excited to work with a fast-paced, strategic media agency that shares our ambitions to drive results.

“With the external marketplace increasingly changing, coupled with a refocused Priceline marketing approach, it was time to review our media services account. PHD has been an important agency partner, and I thank them for their support for close to a decade," she added.

The agency's appointment is effective immediately.