Taking a seat
IAB New Zealand’s chair, Rhys Heron, has announced the appointment of Anne Chen, general manager of digital and new ventures for Bauer Media Group New Zealand, to its board.
Chen has 15 years’ experience leading business transformation through expertise in customer experience design, driving new commercial models, monetisation of data, and excellence in technology and operational delivery through digital.
She’s been head of digital experience at Vodafone NZ and head of digital at Spark and also led digital at Les Mills for both the New Zealand and international markets. Prior to these roles, Chen was interactive product manager for NZ Lotteries, wireless product manager for Yellow and she started her career as channel content manager for Vodafone.
In the announcement, Heron said the IABNZ is excited to have Chen join the board as representative for Bauer Media Group.
“With her background in digital technology, distribution and transformation at some of New Zealand’s best-known brands, Anne will make a valuable contribution to the Board, which comprises leading digital publishers and technology companies. Anne joins IABNZ at an exciting time as we accelerate the delivery of services to our members as our dynamic industry continues to evolve and grow.”
Chen added an area she’s interested in exploring alongside her colleagues and fellow board members is what’s happening beyond the screen, in other parts of digital like data analytics, experience, technology, and how they are shaping digital media now and into the future.
“Digital as a whole is ever-changing, the lines are blurring and the different parts of digital aren’t so distinct anymore. I also think of digital in context of the business, the people and the experiences which is underpinned by technology. I think on the whole, we have a responsibility to challenge ourselves and our industry, to think in broader terms and observe what is happening globally.”
A change in behaviour
Kathryn Robinson has been appointed as behavioural insights director of Colmar Brunton. She will be based in Wellington.
Robinson will join Colmar Brunton’s Social Research Agency that works with New Zealand public sector agencies to apply behavioural insights to improve people’s lives.
She was formerly a planning partner at FCB New Zealand where she led challenging problems by spearheading behaviour change initiatives for the public sector and NGOs.
About her new role, Robinson said a large part will be in working closely to advise clients of their most powerful options in what can often be a quite puzzling and challenging behavioural picture.
“Achieving clarity on what specific change to focus on, with whom, and how that might be achieved creates a much stronger platform for communications and intervention strategies further down the track.”
Head of Colmar Brunton Sarah Bolger said the role requires a multi-disciplined approach to applying behavioural science to research.
“Kathryn has a proven track record of developing strategy and communications through using audience insight and social marketing techniques.”
New opportunities call
Brian Hill has resigned from the role of CEO of News Works and the Newspaper Publisher’s Association.
After four years leading the organisation, Hill has decided it’s time to move on and explore new opportunities, which will include focussing on scaling an eCommerce business he founded last year.
On behalf of the NPA Board, chair Phil Eustace would like to thank Hill for his leadership of the organisation having driven significant change during a challenging period for the media sector and wishes him all the best for the future.
