Twenty-one Notable Advertising Firms Based in Sydney to Explore
Sydney's Digital Advertising Industry Evolves in 2025
Sydney's digital advertising landscape is undergoing a significant transformation in 2025, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), flexible workforce strategies, creator marketing, and a digital shift in outdoor advertising.
In response to rising costs and the impact of AI, the industry is adapting its hiring practices. Companies are concentrating on recruiting experienced commercial and technical talent, while slowing entry-level recruitment. To manage costs and operational tasks, there is an increasing trend towards offshoring and the use of contractors. Internal training in AI, data privacy, and leadership is growing to build capability amid technological shifts [1].
The outdoor advertising sector in Sydney is embracing smart technologies. Digital billboards, augmented reality, geolocation, and AI are being used to create dynamic, interactive campaigns. This transition from static to adaptive displays enhances personalization, engagement, and real-time campaign adjustments, supported by the city's strong tech infrastructure [2].
Creator-led marketing is on the rise, with 94% of organizations viewing it as delivering higher ROI than traditional digital ads. Brands in Australia are increasing their budgets for creator marketing, leveraging creators' authentic and relatable content to deepen audience engagement and boost conversions. Paid boosting is commonly combined with creator campaigns to ensure wide reach and performance tracking [3].
Financial brands in Sydney have increased their ad spending by 16%, with digital platforms like social media and display advertising capturing a large share (46% combined). This trend highlights a broader industry priority towards digital transformation and brand-building through digital channels targeting tech-savvy consumers [4].
Key players in the digital advertising industry include Adobe, Vistar Media, JCDecaux Australia, Index Exchange, Qwilr, Akeneo, Kady Creative, Acquia, VIOOH, Bird, and Floatspace. Adobe, through its marketing arm Adobe Campaign, is dedicated to AI applications for marketing and customer experience. Vistar Media focuses on digital out-of-home ad campaigns, while JCDecaux Australia specializes in outdoor campaigns. Index Exchange offers products for addressability, exchange access, analytics, and omnichannel ad monetization. Qwilr provides templated and pre-designed proposals for sales content, and Akeneo offers product information services. Kady Creative serves luxury lifestyle brands through a social media-privileged approach. Acquia offers digital experience software products built for the Drupal ecosystem. VIOOH offers programmatic digital out-of-home advertising, and Bird makes a content management system for marketing and customer communications, integrating with WhatsApp, email, and SMS. Floatspace, a platform that works like "Airbnb for boats," was recently acquired by the yacht charter business Ahoy Club.
Overall, Sydney’s digital advertising landscape in 2025 is characterized by greater reliance on AI-driven tools, expanded use of digital and interactive outdoor media, strategic investment in creator content, and intensified digital ad spending in key sectors like finance. This reflects a sophisticated, technology-enabled market.
Businesses in the digital advertising industry are embracing technology to drive growth and efficiency, with a focus on AI and data-driven strategies. Financially driven brands in Sydney, in particular, are allocating more funds towards digital advertising, particularly in platforms like social media and display advertising.
