Carat appointed to handle media for General Motors Specialty Vehicles ANZ launch and strengthens team with two senior appointments

Carat Melbourne has won the General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) account for its Australia and New Zealand launch, following a competitive pitch against unnamed agencies.

Carat will support GMSV with end-to-end media strategy, planning, implementation and optimisation for GMSV’s ANZ business including all paid media across their product portfolio. This will include GMSV’s iconic range of full-size North American trucks the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium, the new-entry Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss and all-new Chevrolet Silverado 2500.  These iconic American trucks are fully converted to right-hand drive for customers in Australia and New Zealand. And of course, the highly anticipated mid-engine supercar the C8 Corvette, six-decades in the making now built for the first-time in right-hand drive from GM’s Bowling Green Plant in Kentucky. 

Carat won the business based on the depth and experience of its digital and performance media capabilities with a proven track record of creating personalised and seamless customer journeys from media through CX, driving leading edge business performance.

Jodie Lennon, General Manager of Marketing, CX, Communications at GMSV said of the appointment, “The pitch was competitive, Carat bring media expertise and diversified business platforms (and are a trusted partner globally).  GMSV is a challenger brand and it’s essential to have partners who will work in harmony to gather customer insights and use them to guide our in-market activities, with a laser focus on efficiency. We are excited to have Carat in our fold as we continue to build awareness of the GMSV brand.”

Chris Ernst, Managing Director Carat Melbourne, added, “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to assist Jodie and the GMSV team launch their incredible products here in Australia and New Zealand. I also couldn’t be prouder of the team at Carat. To have been chosen based on our credentials in digital and performance marketing, through to offline strategy, planning and buying is a great reward for the awesome team who were involved in the process.”

Carat Melbourne has also made two senior appointments.  Richard Lehocz, who has been with Carat for three years as Head of Client Leadership, has been promoted to General Manager. 

Publicis Groupe’s Stephanie O’Donnell has joined the agency as Group Investment Director.

With over 12 years of media experience across both the Sydney and Melbourne markets working with a wide range of blue chip and high-profile media accounts, Stephanie spent 5 plus years of her career with Publicis - most recently as Melbourne Investment Director, Spark Foundry.  Prior to Publicis she has worked with Initiative, 303LOWE, DWA and Mindshare.