A new chapter
DDB Sydney chief creative officer Toby Talbot has resigned to take up a leadership role as managing partner Assignment Auckland.
He partners with Peter Biggs and Philip Andrew for the new role.
Talbot took on his role in May 2014 after a stint in New Zealand with DDB and WhybinTBWA and DDB group chairman Marty O’Halloran said he is proud of what Talbot has achieved in that time.
“Naturally, we are very disappointed to lose Toby. I have personally worked with him for nearly 10 years across two agencies. He has unquestionably done a brilliant job in Sydney and leaves behind a very strong creative department with a lot of outstanding talent to continue the creative trajectory.”
The replacement will be announced in the coming weeks.
Talbot says it was a hard decision to leave, but his new leadership role is an exciting new chapter.
“Assignment enjoys a unique position in the market. I can’t wait to be a part of it. I have also been commuting between Sydney and Auckland every week for nearly two years now. Much though I’ll miss my friends at DDB Sydney, I am more than ready to swap a Boeing 737 for the Devonport ferry.”
A new seat
Former publishing and print executive Phil Eustace has been appointed chair of the Newspaper Publishers’ Association. He replaces Michael Muir, managing director of the Gisborne Herald, who has held the role since 2007.
Phil Eustace and Michael Muir
“Mr Muir has played a key leadership role in driving the Newspaper Publishers Association to provide the research, marketing and administrative resources to offer agencies and advertisers a one-stop-shop solution to their marketing needs,” said Eustace.
“Newspapers remain a powerful force in New Zealand with a combined daily and Sunday reach of nearly two million readers. Advertising revenues from all newspapers and their websites totalled nearly $500 million last year, testament to their continuing effectiveness.”
Eustace joined New Zealand Herald publisher Wilson & Horton as chief financial officer in 1996 and held a number of senior finance and operational roles over more than 20 years as the company became APN then NZME. He retired earlier this year.
Muir will remain on the NPA board.
Sales stars
Ad2one NZ has the appointment of two new executives.
Mairi Herbert and Lorena Burton
Mairi Herbert, an account director with over twenty years New Zealand and UK experience at NZME, Fairfax Zealand and TVNZ, has been appointed as sales director.
Lorena Burton, most recently as a digital account manager for Adhub New Zealand, also part of the NZME Media Group, has been appointed as senior account manager, sales.
Howdy partner
Customise Consulting has appointment of Joshua Chapman as its latest partner.
Chapman held relationship management roles in the UK and Auckland before spending five years at a global recruitment firm Hays. Chapman will take a lead role in senior accounting and finance appointments.
Founder and managing director Johnny Robinson said: “Josh brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the team. He has a reputation for building deep relationships and a hunger to take ownership over his future; essential when looking to join our business.”
Chapman said: “Seizing the opportunity to join Customise is exciting. They have a reputation and offering that is very attractive and take a genuine partnership approach. This important to me and something our industry needs more of.”
Moving up
Dan Kalinski has been promoted to CEO of iProspect.
Matthew Crook, chief strategy officer and CEO of performance and data for Dentsu Aegis Network said: “Dan has driven outstanding growth in the culture, performance and results of iProspect during his four years with us. The promotion to CEO reflects his exceptional performance during his tenure and is very well deserved.”
“Dan has developed the iProspect proposition to a full service omni-channel offer including content and data, grown the size of the agency in terms of staff 10-fold and developed an exceptionally positive culture. IProspect is well positioned to continue to grow and lead the industry in delivering performance marketing results under Dan’s leadership.”
Dan Kalinski said: “I work with an amazing group of people at iProspect and Dentsu Aegis Network. I look forward to working with my leadership team and all the people within the business to continue to drive the success of iProspect in my new role.”
A new sales lead
Yahoo New Zealand has sought to bolster its data, content and technology strategy with the appointment of digital innovator Arnaud Calonne as head of sales. “The position will lead a pivot for Yahoo’s strategy, delivering tailored advertising solutions and services with a renewed focus on social, video and native advertising,” said Sydney-based Yahoo ANZ commercial director Paul Sigaloff.
“As head of New Zealand Sales, Arnaud will bolster the company’s presence in the New Zealand market, utilising the foundation products of Tumblr, Gemini and the imminent launch of Brightroll, alongside Yahoo’s comprehensive InSights data offering.
Calonne brings over 18 years experience in the digital industry to the team, with a career spanning the UK, French and New Zealand markets. Having established and sold Adrider, a social media agency in Paris, Arnaud relocated to New Zealand in 2011.
Joining Arnaud Calonne in Yahoo’s New Zealand team are several other new faces, including senior account manager Katerina Lysionak and account operations specialist Skipper Lomiwes.
Bringing to the board
The One Club, producers of the One Show Awards and Creative Week announced that it has appointed six new members to its board: Mark Tutssel, Judy John, Rei Inamoto, Pete Favat, Leslie Sims and Colenso BBDO creative chairman Nick Worthington (as a member of the International Board).
Nick Worthington
The new board members accompany a collection of industry all-stars who serve as ambassadors for and advisors to The One Club, a non-profit whose diversity and education initiatives “ensure the perennial betterment of the industry”.
Taking the lead
Video and Entertainment Network Asia (VeNA) has a new agency sales account manager with the appointment of Adam Lafon-Larrue to its Britomart based team.
Lafon-Larrue joins after roles in digital sales and marketing, as well as property management. His gained skills and experience from these roles position him well to fit in the VeNA sales team.
General mananger Toni Knowles said Lafon-Larrue is a welcomed addition to the team to help with the management of sales, strategic planning and building relationships with new clients.
