SYDNEY: Octagon Sports and Entertainment Network – IPG’s (Interpublic Group) collective of sports and entertainment creative, marketing, and communications agencies – Wednesday launched No2ndPlace, a specialist agency devoted to “driving social impact through sport”.
Focusing on the role sport plays as a catalyst for change, No2ndPlace has the stated aim of “helping brands, sporting bodies, and not-for-profit organizations, drive awareness of societal issues and deliver impactful action and progress”.
Launching initially in Australia, No2ndPlace will be led by Octagon’s chief client officer, Ben Hartman, who will retain his current role while serving as the managing director of the new agency.
“Sport is a powerful platform to drive conversation and change, and we have a huge opportunity to influence many around the world during the major global events taking place in Australia over the next decade,” said Hartman. “Those involved in sport, be it governing bodies, brands, or other organizations, have the chance and responsibility to stand for more and use their platform to drive change.”
“Smart brands and organizations understand that championing positive social influence is not only the right thing to do, but the only way to operate,” said John Shea, CEO, Octagon Sports and Entertainment Network. “No2ndPlace is an ongoing and important evolution in our business, which we hope will drive and foster further progress across sports and society.”
Hartman, who served as jury president for Cannes Entertainment Lions for Sport last year, will be joined by a collective of Australia’s strongest social advocates for change through sport, working hand in hand on the agency’s projects to deliver impact-driven and informed content.
This group of strategic advisors includes former Australian national football team (Socceroos) captain and human rights activist Craig Foster, AFL champion and racial equality leader Adam Goodes, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold medalist and disability advocate Madison de Rozario, and former Wallabies star and conservation and climate advocate David Pocock.
“It’s incredible to be working with such an inspirational group of individuals, using the platform of sport to focus on global issues,” said de Rozario. “I’ve seen first-hand how sport can change lives, and we’re all excited to see how No2ndPlace can play a key role in this”.
No2ndPlace will work with a combination of existing Octagon resources and talent including award-winning Executive Creative Director, Lizi Hamer, as well as dedicated specialists in the world of social change and sustainability to deliver work for clients.
For the record, Octagon Sports and Entertainment Network encompasses Octagon, R&CPMK, ITB, Futures, FRUKT, Milkmoney, and now No2ndPlace.
