BWM Dentsu has been appointed as lead creative agency for Nando’s and Chris’ Foods replacing incumbent, Banjo, which ends a six-year relationship with the brands. The parting was a mutual agreement.

Helen Reece, marketing director, Nando’s Australia, commented, “As a leading Australian fast casual dining restaurant, Nando’s is a unique brand, challenged with connecting our stories and messages with our consumers. We are really excited to be working with the team at BWM Dentsu, a creative agency well known for transforming touchpoints into unique brand experiences.

“Banjo are brilliant storytellers. Throughout our time working together they have played a significant role in helping build the Nando’s brand in Australia. We wish Andrew, Ben and the team at Banjo continued success.”

Banjo’s work on the brands included developed a number of successful large-scale advertising campaigns such as eat interesting, BIG Mango and WTF.

Belinda Murray, managing director, BWM Dentsu, Melbourne, commented, “BWM Dentsu is absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Nando’s and using our expertise to build on the already strong Nando’s brand. We intend to create a truly distinctive brand position in Australia, and a unique brand experience that everyone, from staff to customers, can get behind.

‘Chris’ have fantastic ambitions to disrupt the dips, desserts and yoghurt categories through a unique brand experience approach and, given our strong skillset in this area and success in building brands for long-term success, it feels like the perfect partnership. We look forward to seeing this come to life in the coming months.”

Amanda Habben, chief marketing officer, Chris’ Foods, added, “Chris’ Foods has been a family run business dedicated to providing Australians with food that is fresh, wholesome and full of flavour, for over 35 years. We know that to keep our position as a leading FMCG company, we need to disrupt the dips, desserts and yoghurt categories, a clear brand objective BWM Dentsu have embraced. We can only fulfill our ambition by partnering with the brand experience experts and we were instantly impressed with their collaborative creative process and lateral thinking. We are very excited to be working with the brilliant team at BWM Dentsu and Vizeum.”