Experienced Duo Launches New Retail Media Powerhouse, Signalling Sector Intensification

Monday, 20 April 20267 min read2 views

Two seasoned Australian media executives, Edward Couche and Peter Zavecz, have launched Works Media Group, a new venture poised to enhance retail media offerings. This move signifies a further maturation and competitive drive within the rapidly expanding retail media landscape, leveraging deep industry expertise.

What Happened

•Edward Couche, founder of Shopper Media, and Peter Zavecz, a veteran of News Corp and major magazine publishers, co-founded Works Media Group.
•Couche will serve as CEO, with Zavecz taking on the role of Executive Chairman.
•Works Media Group aims to provide comprehensive retail media solutions for retail brands.
•The launch, announced on 19 April 2026, introduces a new significant player into the Australian retail media market.
•The venture brings together extensive experience in out-of-home and traditional media sectors.

Why It Matters for NZ Marketers

•The launch of a well-resourced retail media player in Australia often foreshadows similar developments or increased competition in the New Zealand market.
•NZ retailers may face enhanced pressure to develop or refine their own retail media strategies to compete with sophisticated offerings.
•This signals a potential for new partnerships or technology providers to enter the NZ market, offering advanced retail media capabilities.
•New Zealand marketers should monitor the services and success of Works Media Group as a benchmark for local retail media evolution.
•Increased investment in retail media in Australia could draw talent or resources that might otherwise have flowed to New Zealand.

Strategic Implications

•NZ marketers must assess their current retail media strategies, considering the evolving competitive landscape and advanced offerings.
•Brands should explore opportunities to leverage first-party retail data more effectively for targeted advertising and customer insights.
•Retailers need to evaluate their existing media partnerships and technology stacks to ensure they remain competitive and efficient.
•Consider forming strategic alliances or investing in internal capabilities to harness the growing power of retail media networks.
•Develop clear measurement frameworks to demonstrate ROI for retail media investments, aligning with sophisticated market expectations.

Future Trend Signals

•Continued consolidation and specialisation within the retail media sector, driven by experienced industry leaders.
•An increasing demand for integrated retail media solutions that span online, in-store, and programmatic channels.
•Greater emphasis on leveraging first-party data for hyper-targeted advertising and personalised customer experiences.
•The potential for retail media networks to become a dominant force in advertising, challenging traditional media channels.

Sources

Return of Zav: Ed Couche and Peter Zavecz team up for retail media venture Works Media — Mumbrella

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