For almost 60 years, the Gold Coast brand has been about the sun and the surf and all that comes with it. Throw in meter maids, theme parks, high-rise apartments and resorts, and it’s a brand image that is easily recognised. Some will argue however, despite its success, that that is a very one-dimensional marketing strategy for the sixth-largest city in Australia, and that the over-reliance on tourism, and its related property and retail industries, is flawed as a long-term plan

Machine learning and robots are moving from providing invisible customer services like stacking shelves into providing front-line customer services. Sydney Business Insights' Sandra Peter talks to Andrew Baxter, the Chairman of Publicis Communications for Australia and New Zealand, about how cutting edge technologies in customer service are transforming marketing and what this means for the consumer.

The Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) has recognised Publicis Worldwide Australia & New Zealand CEO Andrew Baxter with one of its special accolades at this year’s annual awards event in Melbourne.

Andrew was presented with the Sir Charles McGrath award recognising Andrew’s significant career contribution to the marketing industry.

Andrew was invited by the University of Sydney to deliver the Occasional Address at the Business School's graduation ceremony on October 12th. His address covered his reflections on how marketing and business had changed over the past 25 years, and how the students graduating today should embrace the inevitable change for the better over the next 25 years. He also reminded the students to never forget the fundamentals, and to also make the most of the opportunities that the business world can provide.