Optus announced today the next evolution of the Optus brand, launching a new advertising campaign 'we hear you' on Sunday 8 July, 2007.

The new campaign puts renewed focus on Optus' commitment to being the customer champion and reaffirms Optus' pledge to continue to listen and deliver to the needs of consumer, small business and corporate customers.

As part of the campaign the 'wehearyou.com.au' website has been created. It enables customers to provide direct feedback on what they want and need from Optus.

Paul Kitchin, Optus Corporate Brand Director said the Optus brand refresh is aimed at reinforcing the company goal of providing an outstanding customer experience.

"This campaign is about continuing to demonstrate to our customers that we're serious about listening to their changing needs, and working to deliver on that promise.

"We want our brand to reinforce the key components of Optus' customer experience - outstanding service, great deals and for customers to be recognised and rewarded for their loyalty.

"Optus will continue to challenge the status quo by listening to what's important to our customers. Testament to their feedback we have delivered new products such as SIM Backup, Optus ipPhone Optus Internet Security Suite and the new $19 cap mobile plan. These initiatives came about because of customer's suggestions," Mr Kitchin said.

"The new campaign continues to use animals in the creative, which have been a cornerstone of Optus advertising for nine years.

"In a fun and entertaining twist, the campaign introduces six animal characters - 'The O Team' - who get out and about with recording devices and microphones to discover what customers want.

"The O Team will appear in marketing communications listening in to customers in a series of scenarios. They also offer suggestions and highlight products and services to assist our customers," Mr Kitchin said.

The 'wehearyou.com.au' website will be launched with a national online, outdoor and print media campaign.

To reinforce the new campaign, outdoor ambient advertising will be seen in Melbourne's Federation Square and in Sydney's Martin Place at launch and in many other locations.

A maxi bus will travel through Sydney with the interior and exterior of the bus covered in the new branding. Outdoor advertising will be seen in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.

The new campaign was created by M&C Saatchi.

Note to Editor
'The O Team' consists of Lizzie - Ostrich, Woz - Wombat, Graham and Ollie - Racoonie Brothers, George - Elephant and Mindi the Chameleon.

Credits:
M&C Saatchi team included:
Peter Currey - Group Head
Colin Jowell - Planner
Ben Welsh - Executive Creative Director
Paul Carpenter - Creative Group Head
Mark Timmins - Group Account Director

Images are available on request.

Media contact:
Simone Bergholcs
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 7846