Emma Bolser has quickly found a new abode in the industry, becoming a partner at Contagion and taking over the reins of the media department.
Most recently, Bolser served as the joint-managing director at Ikon alongside Linus Hjoberg, together growing the business from four to 30 staff.
Contagion founder Dean Taylor says that Bolser’s track record and reputation in the industry motivated him to start conversations with she left her position at Ikon.
“Emma built Ikon from the ground up by doing the right thing while still delivering results for clients, and that’s a rarity in this business,” says Taylor.
“I want to give her the opportunity to build that kind of culture at Contagion.”
Bolser, who is currently in the UK on holiday, says she looks forward to getting back on the tools at Contagion, particularly because the agency is independent.
“I have watched them with interest since they launched and can see incredible potential to build on their success,” she says.
“What draws me most is the fact they are transparent, totally independent, and locally owned. Endless global reporting and process for process’ sake destroys great teams. Clients want to work with happy and engaged people who love what they do.”
Also joining the agency is channel manager Jillian Hor, who departs Y&R NZ after a two-year stint as a senior digital planner.
In addition to her stint at Y&R, she also spent a year and a half at OMD and two years at Mindshare in Malaysia.
Contagion will, however, also bid farewell to a team member, as current head of media Suzie Thompson departs.
Taylor says Thompson made the decision to depart the agency of her own accord after what has been her first job in media.
“Suzie is moving on to a great job at a network media agency Vizeum,” he says.
“She has been a key part of Contagion for over five years and we owe her a huge debt for all the effort and dedication she has shown on every job. She has also been instrumental in helping me hire the right people for this next phase of Contagion media’s growth and development – I personally want to thank her.”
Thompson has been something of a rising start at Contagion over this period, starting as a channel assistant in 2012 before moving up the ranks to eventually take on the role of head of media.
“Suzie will be around for lots of leaving drinks with us all so we will say a proper goodbye before she goes in mid-September,” says Taylor.
Hor has already started at the agency, while Bolser is set to kick off her tenure on 21 August.
