Australia’s largest independent media agency, Nunn Media, has become a significant shareholder in global independent media agency network, Local Planet.

The alliance will see Nunn Media founder and director, Matthew Nunn, take one of the eleven seats on the Global Local Planet Board, as the Melbourne headquartered agency looks to boost its annual billings to $500m by 2022.

With a network of 54 independent media agencies around the world, Local Planet currently works with 40 international clients across a combined 117 offices in 67 markets and global media billings of $15.7 billion.

Other shareholders within the network include Horizon Media – the world’s largest independent media agency, the7stars – the UK’s largest independent media agency – Pilot in Germany, CoSpirit MediaTrack in France, Zertem Communications in Spain, The Media Shop in Singapore, Tre Kronor in the Nordics and Blue Focus Communications Group in China.

Nunn Media started 16 years ago, and today services a broad array of clients including Spotlight, Scenic, Jenny Craig, Carpet Court and Levis.

The decision to invest in Local Planet provides Nunn Media access to global clients, resources and an extensive range of planning tools and global technology and data partnerships.

Matthew Nunn said: “The partnership with Local Planet gives us the opportunity to work with global clients in a global network while remaining an independent agency.

“We have grown to an agency with billings of more than $275 million working only with local clients.

“Having access to the Local Planet network will allow us to grow the business faster as we target annual billings of $500 million within four years and we actively continue to look for potential acquisition targets in the media agency and digital space.

“Unlike other Australian agencies, we have a senior and experienced team that develop integrated media solutions across all channels that drive real business results.

“We look forward to bringing that expertise to Local Planet clients.”

According to global media research company RECMA, independent media agencies now rank fourth in media billings handled on behalf of the world’s largest clients.

Local Planet global CEO Martyn Rattle said: “Australia is one of the most advanced advertising markets in the world, and we’re delighted the country’s largest independent media agency is joining our network and that Matthew is joining our Board.

“The opportunities for independent agencies are greater than ever as traditional networks face increasing pressure to evolve.