How R/GA’s Claire Waring Hopes To Build A More Human Future
“It’s important that we’re all on the right side of change and brands more than ever, because they play such a role in shaping culture and influencing behaviour,” said Claire Waring, executive creative director of R/GA Australia.
B&T is talking to Waring in R/GA’s swanky new office in Sydney’s Surry Hills ahead of its launch event. However, despite opening a brand new office space, R/GA announced that it was moving away from an “office-centric” model, allowing staff to work with its range of clients regardless of where they might be based.
While that change in approach might seem to run contrary with revealing a new office space, for R/GA, it all comes back to making sure brands are on the right side of change. And, in today’s world, that means that brands have to be more culturally sensitive and inclusive than ever before, as well as promoting responsibility and sustainability.
“I think being on the right side of change, especially for R/GA — and I buy wholeheartedly into this — is being on the side of a more human future,” said Waring.
“The lens that we put over everything that we do, particularly because we work a lot with technology, is the question ‘Is this something for humanity? Is this genuinely going to improve people’s lives or is this going to work against them?'”
According to Waring, this is far from just talk, either.
“We get asked to pitch on a lot of things and, if there is something that we’re asked to pitch on that doesn’t align with our values, then we just don’t pitch,” she explained, being careful not to mention any brands by name.
“We’re in a position to where we can choose who we’d like to work with, we’re very fortunate in that. We make sure that they’re kind humans, that it aligns with the values that we all hold and that’s important for us as a leadership team but it’s also incredibly important for the wider team as well.”
But, with a potential recession on the cards and Australians starting to feel the pinch, doing the right thing means more than just playing nicely.
“Attention to a brand and the value it provides is top of mind for consumers right now. And there is a lot more to value than affordability,” added Sean Lyons, R/GA’s global CEO.
“Brands need to develop and deliver strategies that understand consumers’ needs and values. We conducted our own research, which found customer satisfaction was highly linked to customer confidence — both in the quality of a product or service and its ability to help them achieve larger goals. If a brand can deliver on these qualities, consumers will confidently prioritize their purchasing decision.”
But, importantly, there is no one-size-fits-all rule for brands to follow — though there are common themes.
“Both a brand and an audience change everything about our approach,” said Waring.
“You really have to spend time delving into the insights to really understand the customer and understand the brand.”
Taking the time to delve into customers and the brands is something that R/GA excels at.
In its work for We are Warriors, a first-of-its-kind platform created to celebrate Blak excellence and drive positive change for Indigenous youth, Ben Miles, R/GA’s executive creator director for brand innovation, worked incredibly closely with Yuin Nation hip hop artist, producer, radio host, and We are Warriors founder, Nooky.
During the talk at R/GA’s offices, Miles and Nooky were both visibly emotional, relaying stories of racist abuse from Nooky’s childhood.
The agency also brought in diverse views from its offices around the world for its work for the Museum of Chinese in Sydney.
“Our model enables our best talent, regardless of geography, to work on client briefs and deliver these end-to-end,” said Michael Titshall, R/GA’s SVP managing director for Australia, during the office launch.
However, this diversity of thought but common humanity doesn’t simply extend to people from different countries or backgrounds.
“There’s a common thread between all generations around the right side of change,” said Waring.
“What we look for is that common thread through everybody. We’re all human, there are common needs, desires, and wants that run though every generation. Yes, there are differences in every generation but I think we are more alike than we are different.”
With that being said, Waring believes that slightly adapting messaging to appeal to different consumers does not diminish the sentiment of the overall campaign or language.
“It’s important to meet people where they are, both in channel — where they’re spending time and what they’re doing — but also in their mindset,” explained Waring.
“We would absolutely adapt and change a message so it resonates with an audience in a channel that is appropriate for them. But we’d look to push the edges of possibility of that channel, no matter what it is. Whether that is broadcast, whether it’s something that is more driven in technology, we’d absolutely love to be tailoring it.”
With Gen Z, Web3, the metaverse, and more authentic channels such as TikTok, Waring believes that brands will become more prominent in consumer’s lives. However, that availability will make brands more open to challenge and the relationship between brands and consumers more participatory.
“We’re now able to have not just a one-way or two-way conversation but a participatory relationship,” she explained.
“From the moment we started to have websites and interactivity, we started to have an ability to have more than a one-way conversation. The more we move into Web3 and the technology around it, the more we have the ability to not only reach customers but to provide value, because we can create products, services, and other items of utility that can play a genuine role in people’s lives.
“We’re moving more and more towards participation, particularly if you look at Gen Z. It’s not even about a two-way conversation for Gen Z, they want to be involved. They want to be building and shaping. They want to be in a world where brands and fans build in places like the metaverse together.
“I think how involve you let your customers be in your brand is only going to continue as the tools and the means that people have to get involved in your brand get better.”
This participation will require a readjustment for people in the marketing and creative industries.
“I think that’s terrifying for brands and for marketers, quite honestly because it means letting go of control,” she said.
“But we’re already seeing that it gets really great results if you can involve your audience. I think we’re now moving to a place where, if you want your brand to really resonate with customers, you’re going to have to let them in to help build and shape and be a part of that brand.”
Hand-in-hand with that growth in participation between brands and consumers is the rise of creators.
“I think creators are really interesting and it almost strikes me as where influencers were 10 years ago,” said Waring.
“When we first had Instagram emerge and all these people were doing amazing stuff online and they were just creating and putting it out there. I feel like we then moved to this age of a perfect influencer and now it’s so delightful to see that creators are genuinely creating things and being themselves and showing those chinks in the armour and those different interesting facets of themselves — they’re sort of having this resurgence. As a creative, it’s such a delight to see that.”
This, in Waring’s view, is fundamentally a good thing and definitely the right sort of change R/GA wants to see. Of course, it’s not without risk for brands and marketers — creators can go rogue.
“You have to be careful but then, I think it takes a bit of risk to get a big reward,” said Waring.
Doing the right thing rarely seems easy but, with its new office, working culture, and from talking to Waring and Lyons, it seems as though the agency has given itself a solid foundation to be on the right side of change.
Latest News
X Defends Record On Removing Child Abuse Content As It Promises A Safer Environment For Advertisers
B&T warns this article references the murky & sordid world of online child abuse. Plus, the murky & sordid Elon Musk.
Thursday TV Ratings: Seven Just Beats Nine With The Chase Coming Out Top
Is there a study into the correlation between Thursday's diminished TV numbers & the increased sale of pub schnitzels?
Indie Agency Communicado Raids Thinkerbell For Its Two New Associate Creative Directors
Thinkerbell duo depart for rival agency Communicado. Leaving speeches were said to be convivial but restrained.
“Utterly Irresponsible!” Sportsbet Slammed For Near-$20m Marketing Blitz As Gambling Ban Approaches
Smokers have been picked on for 30 years, now it's time for the gamblers. And the drinkers should start getting nervous.
Casella Appoints Dig As Creative Agency On Yellow Tail Wine
There's three givens at B&T's Friday staff drinks - the Yellow Tail, the Cheezels and the incessant bickering.
Seven Prioritises The Matildas Over The News AND The AFL In Extraordinary Decision Ahead Of The Women’s World Cup Quarter Final
Scott and Charlene's wedding now under serious threat as Saturday's Matilda's game threatens to smash all TV records.
News Corp Earnings Down Across The Board Despite Jump In Subscribers
Rupert can't find a coin for his ALDI trolley as News Corp earnings drop calls for renewed round of belt tightening.
Despite The Outrage & The Bans, The Sports Bet Category Remains Adland’s Zaniest (See This!)
The Guardian may no longer be running sports bet advertising, but as you'll read here, B&T has far less morals & ethics.
Last Chance To Buy Tickets For This Year’s B&T Women In Media Awards!
B&T's not giving away too many secrets to the Women In Media Awards suffice to say two words - chocolate and fountain.
The Trade Desk, Magnite & LiveRamp Deliver Growth, PubMatic Flat In Q2 Earnings
B&T's calling this your Q2 earnings wrap. We even considered wheeling out "must read" to help it along a bit.
Cinema Chain Spoofs Classic Movies In Wonderfully Funny Work To Entice People Back Into Theatres
Call it the Barbenheimer effect, but cinema's suddenly cool again. Yet, absolutely no uptick whatsoever for drive-ins.
Mediabrands Launches Internship Program For Aspiring Media Professionals
Mediabrands are on the lookout for young, enthusiastic go-getters for its internship program. But then, aren't we all?
Nike Celebrates The Matildas & Young Aussie Female Athletes In New Work By Conscious Minds
In what can be best described as a rare treat, it's a localised Nike ad. Kinda like finding the milk's not out of date.
Why Your CX Technology Should Focus On Connections
This expert opines it's not about your newfangled tech stacks, it's about your customers. Even the ones you detest.
WPP & Optimizely Partner To Bring Informed Digital Experiences To Brands & Consumers
Often think WPP's a 'canary in the coal mine' for industry trends? Well, avoid the black lung reading this latest.
Dylan Alcott & Hnry Team Up To Relieve Aussie Sole Traders Of Scary Tax Admin
Can the effervescent Dylan Alcott make tax admin even remotely interesting? Watch as he gives his best shot here.
D&AD Shift With Google Sydney Announce Class Of 2023
Need to poach some hot young agency talent? Poach away here, but just don't rat on B&T for the heads up.
Digital Media Agency Bench Rebrands To The Digital Disruption Agency
You could say Bench has been benched, as agency rebrands to the Digital Disruption Agency.
Seven Appoints Indie Creative Agency Emotive To Reshape Broadcaster’s Brand
Seven planning a brand zjoosh and spring clean. Although the offical corporate red and the number 7 is off limits.
Elon Musk Says The ABC Prefers “Censorship-Friendly” Social Media
It appears the ABC's found a new enemy in Elon Musk. However, News Corp remains entrenched at the top of the enemy list.
Wednesday TV Ratings: The Chase Just Beats The Block To Entertainment Win
Nine wins Wednesday night. However, Seven tells rival you'll get that and more come Saturday's Matilda's match.
B&T’s Best Of The Best Technologists, Presented By Finecast, Part Of GroupM Nexus
Somewhat ironically, this top 10 technologists list wasn't written with any help from ChatGPT or AI whatsoever!
Former Woman’s Day Editor Fiona Connolly Appointed Head of News’ Lifestyle Network
You could say ink runs in the veins of women's magazine veteran Fiona Connolly. And sponge cake recipes.
X Adds Brand Safety Tools In Bid To Bring Back Ad Dollars
Elon back contemplating the colonisation of Mars after finding this whole Twitter thing one huge headache.
ACMA Rules Kyle Sandilands’ Monkeypox Comments Breached Decency Rules And Were Offensive To Gay Men
Watchdog rules Kyle offended gay men. Punishment includes listening to Barbra Streisand & Céline Dion CDs on repeat.
Ozzy Osborne Bites Off More Than He Can Chew With Banned PlayStation Ad
Ozzy Osborne continuing to surprise. No more so than the fact that he's actually still alive and kicking.
Swisse Wellness Wheels In the Celebs To Stop Late Night Doom Scrollers
Is your sleep routine two Quaaludes and a swig from the sherry bottle? There's tips here for a more blissful night.
“All Good Things Must Come To An End, Well This One Barely Got started!” Jerker Fagerström Quits Thinkerbell After Eight Months
Thinkerbell fridge sans all smörgåstårta & pickled herring as Jerker Fagerström heads for the utgång (exits).
Footballing God Cristiano Ronaldo Bumbles His Way through New Work For Fan App Zuju
This ad proves Cristiano Ronaldo is just one of the guys. Just a filthy rich one of the guys, that is.
Samsung Ads’ Marj Hetherton On Why CTV Is The Most Exciting Area Of Advertising
Samsung Ads' Marj Hetherton says CTV is the most exciting area of advertising. That and nine-hour client lunches.
CommBank Matildas REMOVES Tim Tam TikTok Following B&T Story
If Tim Tam's marketing team wants to send B&T some freebies for this free press we'll take any flavour but mint or dark.
Tinder’s New Global Campaign Says Online Dating Need Not Be An Unrivalled Hell
If there were truth in advertising, these spots would feature a drunk bloke with poor hygiene who lives with his mother.
ADMA Adds New Speakers For Upcoming Global Forum
ADMA confirms speaker line-up for upcoming Global Forum. Also, 300 arancini balls locked-in for the networking drinks.
IMAA Census Predicts Growth In BVOD/CTV, Digital Video And Podcasts
The IMAA census is like a finger on the pulse of Australia's adland. And we all need a solid finger now and then.
Prestige Brands Targets Gen Z With Racy Billie Eilish Perfume Ad Via Spark Foundry
Billie Eilish the latest celeb to release a fragrance. Meanwhile, B&T still waiting on an Angus Young eau de toilette.
The Australian Women’s Weekly Celebrates Its 90th Birthday
The Weekly celebrates its 90 birthday. B&T believes the first-ever copy is still in our GP's reception.