M&C Saatchi has been voted into the number one spot in the annual list of innovative companies compiled by Fairfax’s Australian Financial Review.

Check out the full list on the AFR here.

The creative agency topped a list of the 50 most innovative Australian companies, while Leo Burnett Sydney was ranked fourth and CHE Proximity took out top marketing innovation, and came in at seven, for its Cochlear Hearing Test in Disguise, a short film that has a different ending depending on the viewer’s hearing ability. You can check it out here.

According to the AFR, M&C Saatchi took out the top spot for its NRMA Fire Blanket sensor network, which acts as an early warning system for bushfires. Ironically, the agency just relinquished the NRMA account to The Monkeys.

Commenting on the result, M&C Saatchi Australia CEO Jaimes Leggett said: “We’re honoured to be named the most innovative company in Australia. To be ranked alongside those disrupting markets, building products and changing the world is humbling.

“It’s a great accolade for all in the industry and an important marker of the value we bring to clients. Every business in every market is being disrupted. Creativity as a means of driving business transformation is profound, and Australia needs it more now than ever.”

Other media and marketing players in this year’s top 50 included Deloitte, which ranked sixth, and also won for most improved innovative company. Again, CHE Proximity ranked seventh, eBay ranked 16th, SEEK ranked 17th, Nightlife Music ranked 26th, Buzz ranked 36th, and Isentia ranked 48th.

 

Commenting on Leo Burnett’s fourth place ranking, agency CEO Pete Bosilkovski said: “Our unwavering focus on ‘consumer first innovation’ has transformed our business and the services we offer our client partners. At a time when brands face fierce competition and disruption, we believe innovation plays a critical role in not only keeping brands competitive and relevant, but in helping to future proof their growth, and change the rules of the game.”

“The new experience economy is very exciting for us as it’s creating new opportunities for our business and client partners. We are very proud that our company strategy and lateral innovation solutions have being recognised again as part of The AFR’s Most Innovative Companies list for the second year,” he said.