SIMON RYAN: THE NEW GLOBAL IS LOCAL
The rise of the independent was never more prevalent than in 2020. As Australia’s borders remained closed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, locally owned agencies spun into the spotlight, proving to be agile and able to maintain the speed required to keep up with the ever-changing climate that has become the new normal.
While some may think it risque to start a new business in the middle of all of this, Simon Ryan saw an opportunity to offer local clients a one-stop shop that is wholly Australian owned. The former CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Australia and New Zealand (now Dentsu) and managing director of commercial at Carsales launched RyanCap in the middle of last year.
Six months in and the parent company has around 30 staff and more than 20 clients across its two businesses, Ryvalmedia and Foxcatcher, in Melbourne. Aiding in its growth was the acquisition of indie digital media shop JBZ Digital.
Ryan tells AdNews that much of the parent company’s quick success boils down to its local ownership and starting ahead of the curve, unlike its more traditional counterparts which are busy undergoing their own transformation.
“If you look at where the big parent companies are at,
