Turning bold ideas into cultural moments for nearly two decades – that's the legacy of One Green Bean (ogb), and they're just getting started! As the creative communications agency under Havas Village Australia celebrates its 18th anniversary, it's a perfect time to reflect on their journey and look ahead to the future. Ogb has consistently delivered iconic work and industry-firsts, proving their ability to capture attention and spark conversations. They're now poised for a new era of growth, driven by innovative tech, AI, and a deep passion for culture-led creativity across PR, social, influencer, and content capabilities.
Founded in 2007, ogb launched into a media landscape undergoing a seismic shift. Think Twitter's rise, Netflix's streaming debut, and the first iPhone hitting the market. They've skillfully adapted to these changes, tapping into culture to create memorable campaigns.
Over the past 18 years, ogb has produced a string of successful campaigns, from the clever April Fool’s Day Doggy highchair for Ikea to the hilarious Fair Go Bro starring Doug Pitt (Brad Pitt's brother) for Virgin Mobile. They've also been behind the iconic MLA’s Summer Lamb campaign for 11 years and counting.
But here's where it gets controversial... In 2012, ogb made history by becoming the first PR agency in APAC to win a Cannes Lion for their Well-Worn Volley Dunlop Volley campaign. This win paved the way for numerous Agency of the Year awards, solidifying their reputation.
Fast forward to 2023, a new leadership team emerged, with Amber Abbott as CEO, Lauren Bailey as Managing Partner, and Laura Byrne as Head of Content. Under their guidance, ogb has experienced remarkable growth and commercial success.
As Amber Abbott, CEO, puts it, "ogb is a special place. Our success has been built on creativity, true client partnerships, innovation, and a people-first culture. The secret sauce has always been our talent – a team of smart, passionate people who love what they do and who they do it with."
James Wright, Group CEO, Havas ANZ and Global Chair, Havas PR Network, adds, "As One Green Bean celebrates this incredible 18-year milestone, it’s a reminder of what makes our Village and our agencies deliberately different. One Green Bean has always been a pioneer and has kept evolving as an ideas-centric agency driving conversation and attention through earned channels and world-class creative thinking.”
And this is the part most people miss... ogb maintains its independent spirit while leveraging the power of Havas. They benefit from shared access to Village intelligence, complementary skills from sibling agencies, and resources like AI investment, proprietary research, and tools.
Here's a quick look at some key milestones in One Green Bean's journey:
- 2007 – Founded in Sydney
- 2010 – First PR agency to hire a head of social
- 2011 – Acquired by Havas and joins the Havas Village
- 2012 – First PR agency in Asia-Pacific to win a Cannes Lion for the ‘Well Worn’ Dunlop Volley campaign
- 2012 – Wins the first of many Agency of the Year accolades
- 2014 – Amber Abbott joins as an account executive, now CEO, 11 years and counting
- 2015 – Opens UK office, introduces enduring positioning, ‘Creativity that Powers Conversation’
- 2015 – Nike and Meat & Livestock Australia become clients – and still are! First of 11 and counting MLA ‘Summer Lamb’ campaigns
- 2017 – Officially launches its influencer division
- 2022 – James Wright returns to Australia as CEO Havas Creative Network
- 2022 – Major recruitment of talent! Lauren Bailey, Managing Partner rejoins ogb and Laura Byrne, joins as Head of Content
- 2022/23 – PR Agency of the Year and Best PR Employer of the Year (again!)
- 2024 – Launches in-house studio team
- 2025 – Certified as a Great Place to Work
As One Green Bean celebrates its 18th year, Havas Group ANZ is also celebrating a new positioning: Deliberately Different. This highlights the Group’s unique Village model.
What do you think? Are you impressed by ogb's longevity and success? Do you think their approach to blending creativity and innovation will continue to resonate in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
