Vodafone Hutchison Australia's revelation that it will slash operating costs and job numbers will lead to massive reductions in advertising and marketing output and a significant contraction of the marketing team.



Following large drops in revenue and customer base, the company's chief executive Bill Morrow yesterday revealed a plan to cut costs and secure around $2 billion for the sake of improving Vodafone's beleaguered network. 

The company will cut around 10% of its workforce, equating to about 500 staff, from multiple departments.



The Sponsorship Magazine Edition #10 is OUT NOW

This edition will be the last for 2012, and will feature as a supplement to AdNews to be distributed in the next week. Content includes:

Cricket Australia: '16 of the Best' - a detailed look at the sponsors, new brands to partner and insight Q&S's with Luke Bould, Commercial Director on the strategy and health of the portfolio.

Nine Network: Why Big Brother? - with the resurrection of controversial realty program Big Brother, we ask key persons in the commercial team reasons why they ran with the programming for 2012, plans for more, and how much branded content & integration played in this decision

The 4th annual Leaders in Sponsorship conference cemented its place as the industry’s leading event with an extended two day programme packed with top budget holders and decision makers from global brands. It was opened by the Global CEO of the advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi, Kevin Roberts, in a stunning presentation that was the talk of the event, outlining brand building and leadership in sport.

He was followed by 3 heavyweights of the sponsorship industry; Hublot Chairman Jean-Claude Biver, Western Union’s Head of Brand Marc Audrit, and Investec’s Chief Marketing Officer Raymond van Niekerk, who discussed where and why they spend their budgets and how rights holders should sell partnerships to them.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia has announced a four-year extension to its partnership with Football Federation Australia (FFA) for the naming rights to the top-flight of Australian soccer.

Having penned the original partnership deal in 2004, the new agreement extends the partnership between the Hyundai and the A-League until 2016.

Though financial details of the extension were not released, Hyundai's previous multi-year commitment reportedly saw the car manufacturer committing roughly US$10 million to the FFA over the course of the deal's four-year tenure.