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New year, fresh moves

Hark! This is the first exciting instalment of Moving/Shakings for 2011, and there have been a few staff profits and losses at the Marketing Association, Insight Creative, The Research Agency, AWARD, MTV and The Pond.

The Golden Medcalf

Graham Medcalf has resigned from his position as corporate services manager at the Marketing Association and is heading back to agency land after signing on with Rob Davis at Admission, an ad agency providing specialist services to Trans-Tasman marketers.

Medcalf, a former editor of Marketing Magazine and general manager of multinational agency JWT, previously worked with Davis at Lowe (now part of DraftFCB).

“I am obviously sad to see Graham leave us but I am delighted a wonderful new opportunity has come his way,” says NZMA chief executive Sue McCarty “… Graham has been instrumental in assisting me in the transformation of the Marketing Association over the past 15 months, working closely with our key partners, sponsors and corporate members throughout this time. Graham’s contribution to the Marketing Association has been invaluable, he will be greatly missed by us all and my heartfelt thanks and best wishes goes to him as he embarks on what will no doubt be a challenging and successful step forward.”

Until a suitable replacement is found, McCarty says any queries, issues or information pertaining to relationships with the Marketing Association should come directly to her.

Out of Insight

Stephanie Gasperini has left her role as chief executive at Insight Creative after more than six years with the agency.

Gasperini joined in September 2004 as group account director, working her way up to general manager and chief executive.

“She has worked tirelessly for the past six years to give Insight Creative – and more latterly Origin Design – a strong business platform,” says Mike Tisdall, the founding director. “She has been a great and valued member of the Insight Creative family. With the business in great shape and in the capable hands of a truly wonderful account service and creative team, Stephanie has decided to move onto new challenges. She leaves with our gratitude and sincere best wishes for her future career. Her last day at Insight will be Thursday 27th January 2011.

Tisdall, who founded Insight Creative in 1976 after six years as an account manager in advertising agencies, will be taking on a new role as managing director.

“My vision for Insight was to develop a reputation for consistently high creative quality combined with reliability and friendliness … We believe that reputation has been achieved.”

Connon sense

The Research Agency has welcomed Connon Bray to the team in the role of partner, quantitative research. Bray joins the agency from Best Buy, the leading US consumer electronics and entertainment retailer. In his previous role he led Best Buy’s customer loyalty and insight strategy across Canada.

The AWARD goes to…

AWARD, Australia’s pre-eminent creative industries body, has announced the appointment of Erik Vervroegen from Goodby, Silverstein Partners in San Francisco as chairman of judges for this year’s AWARD awards.

Vervroegen is regarded as one of the most gifted creatives in the industry, known for his passion, vision and provocative work. He has led agencies in South Africa, Paris and New York and has over 70 Cannes Lions to his name, awarded for his work on iconic brands such as Nissan, Playstation 2, McDonalds, The New York Times, Excedrin, BMW, Wonderbra, and Land Rover.

“We have a phenomenal opportunity to turn creativity into a powerful force in Australia, and elevate its role in enterprise,” Craig Davis, AWARD chairman, says. “To have attracted someone of Erik’s calibre to be part of AWARD is unprecedented.”

The AWARD programme has this year undergone significant changes, with the creation of several new categories to reflect how communications have evolved and are evolving.

Vervroegen will oversee the judging of more than 2000 entries from around the region, in categories that include music video, applications, social media, environmental design, and branded content. There is also a newly-created award for creative Innovation.

The Annual AWARD Awards will take place on 25 February at Sydney’s CarriageWorks. Tickets are on sale now.

I want my MTV senior vice president

MTV Networks International has announced that Katrina Southon, vice president and general manager of Nickelodeon Australia, has been promoted to senior vice president and managing director of MTV Networks New Zealand & Australia, effective 1 February.

In her new role, she will be responsible for strategic direction and overall management of the network’s “bouquet of channels” including MTV, MTV Classic, MTV Hits, MTVN HD, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. in Australia and MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. in New Zealand.

Southon, who will also sit on the board of Ignite Media Brands, MTV’s joint venture, stand-alone sales house, will take on the role after 5 years at the helm of Nickelodeon Australia where she was responsible for MTV Networks’ kids and family business in New Zealand & Australia, overseeing all aspects of the Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. brands including television, local production, digital media, events – including 5 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and consumer products.

“I’m delighted to be at the helm of MTV Networks New Zealand & Australia at such a pivotal time in its growth,” she says. “The continued expansion of the Viacom business in this marketplace has resulted in a network of global channel brands, serving a wide spectrum of demographics and genres and run by talented, enthusiastic people – in particular MTV’s outstanding leadership team: Rebecca Batties and Tom Armstrong. As an MD, this is a really exciting proposition that offers huge creative scope and opportunities.”

New Pond life

Courtney Perrett has just started her role as customer relationship manager with The Pond. She will be working fulltime alongside original Pond hard man Clinton Ulyatt.

“Itʼs great to secure someone of Courtneyʼs calibre at a time when weʼre looking to expand, both locally and offshore,” says Pond director, Leighton Howl. “With agencies now getting their heads around the idea of creative outsourcing, and more and more creatives embracing the freelance lifestyle, we think sheʼs going to be super busy.”

The former ʻNZʼs Hottest Home Bakerʼ finalist knows the subtleties of agency life even better than the back of her favourite Bombay Alaska, having worked in various account service roles for the past eight years. Sheʼll be focused on further developing ad agency relationships, while Howl spends more time on the fast growing digital sector.

Contact: [email protected] and mobile 021 971769.

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