IMAA to hold its first major member event, Operation Bounceback

The Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA), the national, not-for-profit industry association for the independent media agency industry, has announced it will host its first major member event, Operation Bounceback.

The sold-out event, to be held in-person and live-streamed from Sydney on April 5, is an opportunity for the association’s 120+ members, 40 media partners, and respective industry bodies to discuss the current state of the industry and the future of independent media agencies, and the broader media landscape across Australia.

Guest speakers span the TV, radio, out-of-home, news media, regional media, cinema, and digital sectors. They include a TV panel, hosted by Think TV’s Kim Portrate, along with presentations from Boomtown chairman and SCA chief sales officer Brian Gallagher, IAB CEO Gai Le Roy, Val Morgan managing director Guy Burbidge, CRA CEO Joan Warner, Outdoor Media Association CEO Charmaine Moldrich, Ground Control Research director John Williams to discuss data in the industry, and ThinkNewsBrands general manager Vanessa Lyons.

The event is one of the first ever globally to be carbon negative, by directly stopping big polluters, with Australian start-up C2Zero offsetting the entire event, eliminating three tonnes of carbon on behalf of the IMAA.

IMAA general manager, Sam Buchanan, said the association was thrilled to host its first-ever major event.

“Our members have been asking for an event of this scale for some time, so we’re excited to finally be able to offer it. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our members and partners to come together, in-person and virtually, with all the major media owners, partners, and industry bodies, and talk about the future for independent agencies and the media landscape nationwide. 2022 is set to be a strong year for the indies, as businesses continue to bounce back from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and reset their clients’ media buying plans and strategies, and our members are predicting a bumper year,” Buchanan said.

“We’re also thrilled to partner with the C2Zero team to make the Operation Bounceback event carbon negative – as an association, we’re committed to making a real difference in the fight against climate change, and this is just one way we can make a contribution.”

The sold-out event can be live streamed here.