Chairman’s Report
2018 was a strong year for the Clemenger Group, with our revenue increasing some +3% to $366.6m. Our profit after tax was $47.0m, which was in line with the prior year.
During the year our shareholders enjoyed a 50 cent per share interim dividend in addition to the annual dividend of 13.25 cents per share. The new share price is $3.11. This has been a great year for our over 350 local shareholders as well our major shareholder BBDO Worldwide.
The year saw Clemenger move from St Leonards in Sydney where we had been for over 30 years to fantastic new premises in Walsh Bay. Everyone is loving the new surroundings and it has facilitated a huge increase in cross discipline cooperation – a very important requirement in our business today.
Some of the many highlights on the new business front were: BMW, Menulog and the AFL at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne; Austrade out of Clemenger BBDO Sydney; EECA out of Clemenger BBDO Wellington; Alinta through Marketforce; McCain foods at Porter Novelli and Mortgage & Finance Australia through the combined efforts of GRACosway, Porter Novelli and Redhanded. CHE Proximity continued their winning ways winning Vanguard Investments, Prospa, RACV, Danone and Michael Hill. Perhaps the highlight of the year was winning Farmer’s through 99 in Auckland. There were many other new assignments across the Group.
Jim Moser left the Group to join BBDO as Chairman of BBDO Europe. Jim was with us for 18 years and made a huge contribution in both New Zealand and Australia.
We welcomed Levo into the company. Levo are experts in web development and e-Commerce. They are already working across the Group on shared clients like Mazda.
Kim Boehm retired at the end of 2018 after nearly 40 brilliant years. Kim ran our Adelaide Agency, CHE and was a key part of the success of Clemenger BBDO Melbourne for many years. He more recently oversaw Group Talent and Marketing and did a fantastic job on this too.
Jim Gall became CEO of Clemenger Group New Zealand replacing Jim Moser. He also worked to re-engineer our leadership in Perth. Lachlan Drummond replaced Jim Gall as Managing Director of Redhanded.
Imogen Randell became CEO of both Hall & Partners and Quantum.
Our companies were recognized widely for the work we do and we detail these achievements in the body of this report.
In 2019 we will continue to be successful as long as we remain committed to creativity for our clients. Through new technology and data, we can now reach our customers more efficiently. But, with our superior creativity, we can engage them more effectively than ever. This is our long term, sustainable competitive advantage.
2019 will be a strong year as long as we commit to creativity and transforming our businesses in the digital world. We all need to embrace the major changes to our industry and become experts at using the new tools at our disposal. Training and developing new skill sets will be critical to future success.
2018 Chairman's Report
2018 was a strong year for the Clemenger Group, with our revenue increasing some +3% to $366.6m. Our profit after tax was $47.0m, which was in line with the prior year.
During the year our shareholders enjoyed a 50 cent per share interim dividend in addition to the annual dividend of 13.25 cents per share. The new share price is $3.11. This has been a great year for our over 350 local shareholders as well our major shareholder BBDO Worldwide.
Read the full Chairman's report Play IntroductionOur Companies
Our success comes from the company we keep. As diverse as they are brilliant, each part of this Group is united by a passion for creative problem-solving.
Award Highlights
While there were enough awards across the Group to make even the sturdiest trophy cabinet strain, some pieces of work shone through.
Big Wins
Awards throughout the year, as recognised by WARC
Big Moves
From reshuffling to relocating, 2018 saw a number of changes that helped to streamline business and create new opportunities.
Our People
What's new
Members of the Group
Moments of Recognition

Nick Worthington was honoured with a “Lifetime Achievement” award, Colenso won Agency of the Year for the third year in a row, Clemenger Wellington won a Brand Axis recognising five years of continued creative brilliance on NZTA and Fonterra won Client of the Year.

This year Porter Novelli Australia Chief Executive Officer Peter Kent marks 20 years with the Clemenger Group. Peter’s career lifeline tracks from adventure travel to journalism, then government and consulting, which he says he only meant to do for a few years between “real jobs”. From Sydney to Melbourne and then leading Porter Novelli Australia, Peter’s contribution and impact has been outstanding. Congratulations Peter.

Clemenger Group has once again put some of its best and brightest through Clemenger University - an intensive week-long residential MBA-level course at the Melbourne University Business School. Started by Peter Clemenger, the program brings many of our companies together in the spirit of collaboration and learning.
Pride and Joy
Something to shout about

Tour de Cure
Tour de Cure had long been dear to the hearts of the Creative Activation – after all, two former Creative Activation employees were its co-founders. Its company Executive Chairman, Bruno Maurel, is also the Chairman of Tour de Cure.
In 2018, Clemenger Group sent nine riders from our companies – Clemenger BBDO, CHE Proximity, Redhanded, Porter Novelli, Quantum, Hall & Partners, Traffik and Creative Activation. This promoted collaboration across the Group and lifted the awareness of causal efforts across the Group. We raised $90,000 for Peter Mac Cancer Research, exceeding our target. Well done to our riders and thank you everyone for your support.
Read More
Diversity Initiatives
Diversity initiatives were driven by Agency Circle and led by Clemenger BBDO Sydney’s Managing Director, Emily Perrett. Our companies attended Changing the Ratio and joined the Omnicom Open Pride movement.
In Australia, we’ve been working with Workplace Gender Equality to ensure equal access to rewards, resources and opportunities for all our people. In New Zealand, our companies achieved the Rainbow Tick certification mark, which further demonstrated an understanding of sexual and gender workplace diversity.
Read More
Clemenger Recruitment
2018 saw continued growth in the Group, with eight recruiters joining our companies across both Australia and New Zealand. This team single-handedly saw to 60% of the Group’s recruitment requirements, saving us close to two million dollars.
In September, we launched the Freelance Portal, and are currently working to standardise terms of business with external recruiters.
Read MoreConcise Financial Report
The Concise Financial Report and Auditors' Report contained within this document represent a Concise Report. The full financial report of Clemenger Group Limited for the year ended 31 December 2018 and the Auditors' Report thereon will be sent, free of charge, to members upon request. Members wishing to receive the full financial report and Auditors' Report may arrange for a copy by contacting Adrian Ciabotti on 03 9869 4206.
The Concise Report contained within this document has been derived from the full consolidated financial report of Clemenger Group Limited for the year ended 31 December 2018 and cannot be expected to provide as full an understanding of the financial performance, financial position and cash flows of the Group as the full financial report.