The John Singleton-backed ad agency Banjo is poised to set up shop in Brisbane as it looks to grow its Queensland client base, B&T understands.
The agency, headquartered in Sydney, is also understood to have appointed former MD of Clemenger Harvie Edge (CHE) Brisbane, Stephen Forth, to head up the Brisbane business. Forth left CHE in March after more than four years at the agency.
Banjo, which launched in Sydney last year, already has several Queensland-based clients, including online flower shop 1300Flowers. It’s believed it is currently gauging the interest of advertisers in the market, and will go forward with plans to set up an office if it gets the commitment of a number of brands.
News of Banjo establishing a Brisbane presence comes in the wake of Queensland Tourism announcing its shortlist of agencies for its creative review next week. In order to be considered in the review, Tourism Queensland has specified the agency must have an “operational office in Brisbane”.
Andrew Varasdi, managing partner of Banjo, would not comment on the Brisbane move but denied the agency would be going for the Tourism Queensland business, saying the tourism body specified that agencies must have a global presence to be considered.
