EXCLUSIVE: Nedbank appoints Publicis Groupe's Digitas Liquorice, Publicis Media

The agreement sees Digitas Liquorice continuing and expanding its long-standing relationship with the bank as the Group’s digital creative agency, while Publicis Media comes on board as the bank’s digital media agency.

Khensani Nobanda

According to Khensani Nobanda, group executive Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank, the selection involved a lengthy and intensive search process. “Given Nedbank’s concerted focus on being first in digital, we certainly didn’t take the appointment of our digital agency partner lightly, so the process was extremely exhaustive, and included elements such as a comprehensive technology audit to ensure a future fit partner with the necessary digital capabilities and resources, and an in-depth chemistry assessment stage where Nedbank team members immersed themselves with shortlisted agencies to ensure the required chemistry and fit.”

“We were not only very impressed with the expertise and capabilities of Publicis Groupe,” Nobanda says, “but also recognise that the Group’s ‘Power of One’ philosophy and approach is an excellent fit with our digital strategy.”

“Having joined the Publicis Groupe in February this year, it has been an incredibly fulfilling journey working with Nedbank. We are thrilled with the appointment and look forward to harnessing the capabilities and expertise across our Groupe, through our ‘Power of One’ philosophy and approach. With the growing need for clients to succeed in a ‘Platform World’ we are well positioned to partner with Nedbank on this journey,” Eunéne Levine, MD for Digitas Liquorice Johannesburg.

Kate Carlisle-Kitz, VP for Publicis Media South Africa added: “We are exhilarated by the appointment, as it reinforces the growing need for creative and media collaboration and demonstrates our ability to deliver a unified trailblazing offering. We look forward to working hand in hand with our Publicis family and building a formidable partnership with our new client, Nedbank.”

Nobanda explains that the appointment of Publicis Groupe to both the digital creative and media responsibilities also gives Nedbank the opportunity to consolidate all its digital marketing efforts and ensure total alignment between these two vital roles and Nedbank’s digital ambitions and strategy.

“We are confident that this partnership will unlock extensive benefits for Nedbank,” she said, “not least the highest quality strategic thinking and creative delivery that will support Nedbank’s significant digital leadership aspirations.”