http://evev1114.staging-zeus.netregistry.net/index.php en stefanie@evolutionmedia.com.au Copyright 2008 2008-09-19T06:39:00+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/beacon_investments_appoints_evolution_for_awareness_campaign/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/beacon_investments_appoints_evolution_for_awareness_campaign/#When:06:39:00Z 19 September, 2008 Built by advisers for advisers, Beacon’s boutique wrap offering has won numerous industry awards, including Smart Investor’s Best Superannuation Platform. 19 September, 2008 Built by advisers for advisers, Tower’s boutique Beacon wrap has won numerous industry awards, including Smart Investor’s Best Superannuation Platform. With a suite of new functionality and capabilities to take to market, Beacon has engaged evolution to create awareness of the Beacon offering across the adviser channel. Watch this space for more detail. 2008-09-19T06:39:00+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/evolution_outlines_top_tips_on_communicating_to_customers_in_times_of_crisi/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/evolution_outlines_top_tips_on_communicating_to_customers_in_times_of_crisi/#When:04:49:00Z 11 September, 2008 In this month’s Professional Planner magazine evolution media has outlined communication methods, using new and tradition media, it recommends financial advisers use in a difficult times. 11 September, 2008 In this month’s Professional Planner magazine evolution media has outlined communication methods, using new and tradition media, it recommends financial advisers use in a difficult times. evolution recommends picking up the phone and calling your top clients, responding to the news with your own view in a client newsletter; start communicating with customers online by providing information-rich content that can help in their decision making and using a variety of communication methods such as email and online video to make clients feel as though you’re their partner in a time of crisis. Click here to view the full article. 2008-09-11T04:49:00+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/health_super_appoints_evolution_for_gen_y_digital_campaign/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/health_super_appoints_evolution_for_gen_y_digital_campaign/#When:05:39:00Z 5 September, 2008 As the baby boomer population head toward retirement, super funds are increasingly seeking to engage younger members and attract the elusive generation Y. 5 September, 2008 As the baby boomer population head toward retirement, super funds are increasingly seeking to engage younger members and attract the elusive generation Y. Looking to increase new member acquisition amongst this demographic, Health Super has engaged evolution to develop an integrated strategy both in print and online. Watch this space for more details about evolution’s innovative new campaign. 2008-09-05T05:39:00+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/aon_corporation_selects_evolution_to_execute_media_relations_program/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/aon_corporation_selects_evolution_to_execute_media_relations_program/#When:01:18:01Z 20 August, 2008 Global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, Aon Corporation has appointed evolution media as its public relations agency in Australia. 20 August, 2008 Global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, Aon Corporation has appointed evolution media as its public relations agency in Australia. Aon has over 36,000 staff members worldwide and more than 500 offices in over 120 countries. The appointment of evolution media comes as Aon Consulting Worldwide announced its signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investments (PRI). Becoming a signatory formalises Aon’s Investment Consulting group’s use of the PRI framework in determining investment risks in a company, security, or mutual fund on behalf of clients worldwide. Aon was named the world’s “best broker” by Euromoney magazine’s 2008 Insurance Survey. Click here to visit the Aon website 2008-08-21T01:18:01+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/cfa_sydney_guest_speaker_dr_marc_faber_hits_the_headlines/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/cfa_sydney_guest_speaker_dr_marc_faber_hits_the_headlines/#When:02:22:00Z 1 August, 2008 CFA Society of Sydney recently hosted its annual gala luncheon featuring investment guru Dr Marc Faber as the guest speaker. 1 August, 2008 CFA Society of Sydney recently hosted its annual gala luncheon featuring investment guru Dr Marc Faber as the guest speaker. Dr Faber publishes a widely read monthly investment newsletter “The Gloom Boom & Doom” (http://www.gloomboomdoom.com) report which highlights unusual investment opportunities, and is the author of several books including “Tomorrow’s Gold - Asia’s Age of Discovery” which highlights future investment opportunities around the world. He is well known for his contrarian investment approach. evolution media ran a media campaign around the event, inviting jorunalists to meet Dr Faber and listen to his presentation. Journalists from BRW, The Australian, Bloomberg News, Sky News, The Australian Financial Review and Business Spectator attended the Sydney and Melbourne events. evolution media generated over $80,000 worth of media coverage for the CFA Society across TV, national newspapers and online media outlets. Coverage from the event highlighted Dr Faber’s blunt advice for the financial sector - “Buy a farm,” he told the audience of over 230 investment professionals. Dr Faber is convinced life in the financial services sector is only going to get tougher. Click here to read an article in The Australian on the event. 2008-08-01T02:22:00+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/superreview_quotes_evolutions_marcus_field_on_super_fund_member_communicati/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/superreview_quotes_evolutions_marcus_field_on_super_fund_member_communicati/#When:04:45:00Z 15 July, 2008 evolution media’s Senior marketing Manager Marcus Field has been quoted in the July 2008 Issue of SuperReview. Damon Taylor’s story - “Managing Difficult Messages” covers the way a number of superannuation funds are communicating with their members in a climate of negative returns and turbulent markets.  evolution media’s Senior marketing Manager Marcus Field has been quoted in the July 2008 Issue of SuperReview. Damon Taylor’s story - “Managing Difficult Messages” covers the way a number of superannuation funds are communicating with their members in a climate of negative returns and turbulent markets. Field comments on how important it is for fund members to be kept informed of what is happening with their investments, and suggests ways funds can use their communication strategies to not only retain members in uncertain times, but to also acquire new members. To read the whole article visit the SuperReview website here. 2008-07-15T04:45:00+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/retail_banking_review_publishes_evolution_thought_piece/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/retail_banking_review_publishes_evolution_thought_piece/#When:00:08:01Z 14 July, 2008 Leading banking industry magazine Retail Banking Review has published an article written by evolution media Head of Content Antony Perring, and evolution CEO Vanessa Stoykov. The article discusses the benefits of branded content in developing meaningful and on-going customer relationships. 14 July, 2008 Leading banking industry magazine Retail Banking Review has published an article written by evolution media Head of Content Antony Perring, and evolution CEO Vanessa Stoykov. The article discusses the benefits of branded content in developing meaningful and on-going customer relationships. Opening doors with branded content Banks can still build relationships with traditional media devices. By Antony Perring and Vanessa Stoykov Branded content may well be the secret weapon for organisations such as retail banks and insurance companies in the future. Why? Infinitely more targeted, branded content has the opportunity to talk to customers in a broader sense. And it has a lower cost than above the line marketing. Rather than focus on product, branded content can acknowledge that finances are one part of our busy and fragmented lives. With bank marketing messages trending towards “happy” and “determined” banking, and the big brands focusing on convenience, service and friendliness messages, subtly branded content is well placed to deliver the often-talked about “personal relationship” to customers. A financial services organisation can find it very difficult to sell itself to a wide audience based solely on the numbers - particularly considering home loan rates and other fees and charges have crept up in a difficult credit market.  Add to this the fact that consumer sentiment generally places banks, money managers, real estate agents and politicians on a par in the trust and reliability stakes. Careful use of branded content can help create a human face for large institutions which can break down the barriers created by feelings of mistrust.  It can also appeal to the customer looking for more than the paternalistic relationship traditionally had with banks and big finance companies in the past. Marketers in many industries are beginning to see the value of incorporating branded content into marketing activities. A high quality print magazine is a value-add for customers.  It returns value not only in the opportunity to place content in your own medium, but in what it gives to customers in terms of real insight, valuable information and entertainment. Australians are among the heaviest consumers of magazines in the world, per capita, and banks are well placed to use existing branch networks and mailing lists as ideal distribution for customised branded content. Recently published by evolution media was the second issue of inspired on behalf ANZ Bank.  A glossy lifestyle magazine, inspired encourages readers to get the most out of their lives and to be better off.  Its target audience is women aged 30-60 years. It has regular sections dedicated to travel, food, sustainability, health, motoring, technology, community, men’s and women’s issues, careers and the arts, plus a range of personal wealth topics from real estate and financial planning, to investment strategy and products. It immediately reaches tens of thousands of affluent and influential consumers and decision-makers, with distribution through ANZ branches and networks. A survey in the first issue of the magazine returned results showing that 71 per cent of readers read the whole magazine, and found the balance of stories was what kept them glued to the pages. One of the major challenges faced in producing inspired was to maintain a balance in producing a magazine which appealed as much to the reader as it achieved its commercial goals. evolution media found that real-life examples - case studies about successful businesses, happy retirees, and great holiday ideas - were good ways to mention credit cards, financial advice, investment and insurance. The benefit inspired has brought to ANZ has been the creation of an ongoing relationship between the bank and its customers, based on something well beyond just receiving branch collateral and the usual advertising and brand campaigns. But branded content does not just have to be offline in traditional media. The web is the perfect opportunity to create a reader relationship and encourage participation. One of the biggest rules in branded content however, particularly on the web, is frequency. As with any successful relationship, once you make the promise with a beginning, you must continue. Too often marketers and agencies create a relationship with customers then stop it - just as consumers are beginning to buy in - due to lack of budget, lack of time, or management changes. As the nature of a branded content relationship is far more personal than other forms of marketing, it’s a relationship that needs to be well thought through and must be committed to for a significant period of time. Measurement is crucial to building a case for continued investment in branded content.  To measure the effectiveness of online and print content, reader feedback and participation is needed. Surveys, competitions and reader contributions are all ways to achieve this goal, along with online metrics and measurement, and must be considered in an ongoing basis to prove depth of engagement and growth in participation in the initiative. With social media, online video and experiential marketing all vying for a place at the table in marketing budgets against more traditional methods, branded content is a valid choice for those organisations seeking relationships and ultimately more business with existing customer bases. As they say, there is value to the bird in the hand. Antony Perring is Head of Content and Executive Editor of inspired at branding and marketing agency - evolution media.  Vanessa Stoykov is CEO and Founder of evolution media. To see the article online as it appeared in Retail Banking Review click here 2008-07-14T00:08:01+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/gmo_appoints_evolution_for_pr/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/gmo_appoints_evolution_for_pr/#When:06:47:01Z 9 July, 2008 Global investment management firm, GMO has appointed evolution media as its public relations agency in Australia. 9 July, 2008 Global investment management firm, GMO has appointed evolution media as its public relations agency in Australia. GMO offers a broad range of investment products, including equity and fixed income strategies across global developed and emerging markets, as well as absolute return strategies. With US$140 billion in funds under management, GMO’s client base includes endowments, pension funds, public funds, foundations and cultural institutions. GMO’s employment of evolution media comes as the manager announces the appointment of three senior staff to its Australian Equities team, doubling the resources of its Sydney-based team, and its relocation to a larger office on Alfred Street in Sydney to accommodate the growth of the organisation. 2008-07-09T06:47:01+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/evolution_works_with_fpa/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/evolution_works_with_fpa/#When:07:32:01Z 18 June, 2008 The Financial Planning Association of Australia Limited (FPA) has appointed evolution media to develop a marketing plan for their Future Financial Planners Council (FFPC). evolution media will work closely with the FPA to solve the skills shortage in financial planning. The FPA is looking to attract young financial planners to the profession. 18 June, 2008 The Financial Planning Association of Australia Limited (FPA) has appointed evolution media to develop a marketing plan for its Future Financial Planners Council (FFPC). evolution media will work closely with the FPA to solve the skills shortage in financial planning. The FPA is looking to attract young financial planners to the profession. The FPA is the peak professional body for financial planning in Australia, representing approximately 12,000 individuals and businesses. Over 9,000 of its 12,000 members are practicing financial planners. Its members strive to improve the financial wellbeing of all Australians.  The FPA provides the leadership and professional framework that enable members to deliver quality financial advice to their clients. Click here to visit the FPA website 2008-06-18T07:32:01+10:00 http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/evolution_article_brand_new_concept_for_industry_to_develop_published_in_th/ http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au/index.php/EvolutionMedia/news_articles/evolution_article_brand_new_concept_for_industry_to_develop_published_in_th/#When:02:56:00Z 18 June, 2008 National daily, The Australian has published an article on branding in the superannuation industry written by evolution media CEO, Vanessa Stoykov and Head of Content, Antony Perring. The article covers issues that superannuation funds must face as members open their annual statements this year. National daily, The Australian has published an article on branding in the superannuation industry written by evolution media CEO, Vanessa Stoykov and Head of Content, Antony Perring. The article covers issues that superannuation funds must face as members open their annual statements this year. The text of the article as appeared in Wealth section of The Australian, Wednesday, 18 June, 2008 is below.  To view the article online click here. Brand new concept for industry to develop The recent market turmoil and uncertainty will see many, if not most superannuation fund members opening their statements this year and wondering where their retirement savings have gone. In the wake of the sub-prime crisis and the global credit crunch super funds are expected to post negative returns on member’s retirement savings. For many of us superannuation is an afterthought, a number on a payslip that our employer deals with - that is, until we get our annual statement. This year more than any other since the introduction of Super Choice the relationships that our superannuation funds have with us will determine what happens when we open that envelope. Branding agency evolution media recently announced a deal with Australia’s leading superannuation fund measurement and ratings body, SuperRatings to assess the success of superannuation funds in using brand to drive fund membership and engagement within their member bases. The survey, which uses data collected from super funds, their members and the general public, will give super fund trustees and marketing managers a real insight into the way their fund is perceived by members, and a good indication of the effectiveness of their marketing strategies.  With the looming spectre of negative returns, brand loyalty among fund members has never been more important. The ability to measure member loyalty is sure to pay off for funds that take heed of the results of the research. Superannuation is a trillion dollar industry, yet still has consumer brands in their infancy. Some funds are already pulling ahead of their competition, creating strong messaging and consumer sentiment with their investment in brand. Industry funds in particular have made huge investments in brand advertising. From the early television commercials with former reserve bank head Bernie Fraser as spokesman, to the current series of ads with John Wood’s voice over promising “a lifetime of difference,” industry funds have developed a strong brand message of long term performance and low fees, with the funds being run for the benefit of their members. A stand out brand among retail super providers is ING, establishing a strong brand message with advertising campaigns featuring comedian Billy Connolly. AMP have recently appealed to the public with their “Super Simulator” campaign combining TV advertising with a comprehensive digital campaign But it’s not just the funds with big mainstream advertising budgets that will fare better than others in volatile times. Funds with high levels of member engagement and loyalty are well placed to weather what could well be a rocky period for the super industry. Superannuation fund managers and their marketing teams should be asking themselves a few serious questions. When volatile markets take fund performance out of the equation, how do members decide what to do with their investments?  What makes a member loyal to their fund?  How should super funds engage with their members to reassure them of the long term nature of their investment?  And, why would a member change funds? These are all questions set to challenge super fund trustees over the next twelve months. Funds must recognise that a focus on branding, and member engagement is just as important, perhaps more important than the performance of the fund itself. The real challenge for all super funds in the coming year will be deciding how to position their brand in the first real test of member loyalty since the introduction of choice of fund.  For financial planners the challenges will be a little different. Advising investors on how to manage their retirement savings will become more difficult.  The choice between good returns and better returns is likely to be replaced with the decision between bad returns and the not so bad.  Financial Planners are seeing more educated and concerned consumers, looking for a superannuation solution that suits their needs, and a fund that keeps them informed and engaged about how their investments are performing. “There are a few big issues that funds will have to deal with this year,” explains Sam Henderson, Principal and Senior Financial Advisor at investment and retirement planning specialists Henderson Maxwell, “particularly for those fund members that took advantage of last year’s changes to super, and made substantial additional contributions to their fund.” “It will be important that funds offer value-adds to their members, like financial advice, to offset the real losses many people will experience this year.” “The industry funds in particular might struggle to keep some members in light of the poor performance of the market because they don’t offer the extra services that some of the retail funds do,” he says. “I can see that many people will also give self managed super funds some serious thought. “A lot of people will be thinking ‘If my fund can manage to lose me that much, I might as well give it a go for myself,’” Henderson says. Fund trustees should not expect that their members are going to stay put.  Superannuation clearinghouse SuperChoice reports 12.2 per cent of Australians are not in their employer’s default fund.  A significant proportion of those employees have made a conscious and deliberate decision about which super fund they belong to. SuperChoice also report that approximately four per cent of Australians have switched funds in the last year, up from two per cent when choice of fund was introduced three years ago. So will the red ink on our annual statements spur on a further lift in the number of Australians changing funds, and is there upside to what looks like a grim year for the superannuation industry? There is no doubt that as members open their annual statements, negative returns will give superannuation and retirement saving a starring role in dinner table, barbecue and workplace conversations around the country. Good brands already know their members and can tailor their messages specifically to their needs. Strong brands are confident that their members are informed and will be alert but not alarmed when they check their super balance. Effective brands have fund members who already know what’s going on with their savings and won’t suffer envelope-shock when they get their paper statement. For those brands, being a part of those dinner party and barbecue conversation could see new membership flow their way as active engaged members act as advocates for their funds. For the funds without a strong brand message, there could be tougher times ahead, with the risk of membership drift a very real possibility. The opportunity then is for super fund trustees and marketing managers to increase their communication with members - to educate, allay fears and to reassure members about their investments. This may seem counter intuitive - the defensive position of circling the financial wagons and cutting spending on all but the essentials is probably not the right one to take. Surely funds should be increasing their member engagement and retention activity, building on existing relationships and proving that superannuation should be front of mind for their members, not relegated to the too-hard basket.  When members understand what their super is doing, and that it is a long term investment, member loyalty is greater than if they are not engaged in the process. “In a climate where investment returns are diminishing, and where super choice has made competition between funds fierce, it has never before been more important for a marketer to be able to prove that their retention and acquisition strategies are working” says Jeff Bresnahan, managing director of SuperRatings. “Fund membership is actually slowing, and in some cases going backwards. Funds need to look much closer at their marketing. “The SuperBrands survey initiative brings the superannuation industry into a new phase, a new phase for marketing managers, and a new ability for boards to actually understand better where their money is going,” says Bresnehan. At a glance - Branding and communication are more important than ever for super funds - Super fund managers might face member drift in the wake of poor returns - Consumer brands in superannuation are still in their infancy - Planners are seeing better educated and demanding consumers - Add-on products and extra services should help retain fund members Vanessa Stoykov is CEO of evolution media, and Antony Perring is evolution’s Head of Content.  Visit http://www.evolutionmedia.com.au for more information on the SuperBrands project. 2008-06-18T02:56:00+10:00