AKQA Australia has finalised its merger with whiteGREY, expanding its creative and innovative talent pool and repositioning as a holistic marketing services and solutions agency.

AKQA Australia is now led by Jeremy Smart, Managing Director, (pictured right) supported by Justine Leong, General Manager of Sydney (pictured left). Brian Vella, as Managing Partner, Asia Pacific, provides regional leadership and reports directly to Ajaz Ahmed, global CEO and founder.

The merged entity will provide more comprehensive marketing services to a broad range of clients, including Bunnings, HESTA, KFC, Adore Beauty, Country Road Group, Officeworks, Visit Victoria, and Volvo.

Both AKQA and whiteGREY have been listed as AFR’s Most Innovative Company in the past three years. AKQA is known for its work in the digital experience space, emerging technology, design, and innovation. The agency now operates across six specialisms: Growth strategy, Storytelling, Emerging ideas, Product & Experience, Technology, Data & AI.

In addition, Iona Macgregor has been appointed as the new chief strategy officer of AKQA Australia. Macgregor previously held the same position at whiteGREY, and joined the agency in January after a long tenure at Publicis Groupe, including over five years as chief strategy officer for Saatchi & Saatchi Australia.

Macgregor had only joined whiteGREY in January after spending much of her career at Publicis Groupe, working for numerous agencies in Australia and France. She was chief strategy officer for Saatchi & Saatchi Australia for more than five years before making the switch to WPP six months ago.

"Now more than ever, AKQA is led by an empowered and energised team with one vision and set of values," the agency stated. "This is a new era, and the new leadership team is focused on creating a better future for our clients, team members and the communities we serve."