ANZ has appointed Leo Burnett as its new creative agency of record, wrapping up a drawn out pitching process first announced publicly by the bank in May.

Effective immediately, the Publicis-owned creative agency will take over the remit from incumbent Special Group, marking an end to the independent agency's three-year partnership with ANZ. Special picked up the account via a competitive pitch process in 2021, but came to a mutual agreement with ANZ not to pitch in the most recent RFP.

The Monkey's, BMF and dentsu were reported to have been amongst the short list.

ANZ has said the appointment marks a "pivotal moment" in the banks ongoing evolution of its agency ecosystem, aimed at enhancing its brand presence and driving strategic growth through innovative marketing initiatives

ANZ's General Manager of Marketing, Sian Chadwick, said: "We are delighted to partner with Leo Burnett. Their proven track record in developing outstanding work and deep understanding of our industry make them an ideal partner to help us achieve our growth objectives.

"Leo Burnett’s exceptional strategic and creative capabilities, as well as their collaborative approach stood out to ANZ through the tender process. The agency’s alignment with ANZ’s vision underscores the bank’s commitment to delivering compelling marketing initiatives that resonate with a diverse customer base in an increasingly competitive environment."

Leo Burnett Australia's CEO, Clare Pickens, said: "It’s a privilege to be selected as ANZ’s creative agency partner, which represents a new chapter for Leo Burnett in Australia. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity to leverage our strategic and creative expertise and support ANZ’s brand evolution. We are excited to work closely with ANZ to develop innovative and impactful work," Pickens said.

ANZ took the opportunity to thank The Special Group for their work since 2021 and all agencies involved in the tender process.