PHD Group Bolsters Its Strategic Power

PHD Group Bolsters Its Strategic Power

Agency of the future grows ‘Connected Specialists’ offering

One of New Zealand’s fastest growing media and communications agencies, PHD Group, is further strengthening its strategic resource with the expansion of its Strategy Team.

The agency has appointed Gareth O’Connor as Strategy Director, while James Davidson has been promoted to the role of Senior Strategist, giving new credence to the group’s industry-leading strategic offering.

The team will work across PHD Group’s three divisions – Spark PHD, PHDIQ and Spark PR & Activate – and will be led by Jane Stanley, Group Strategy Director, who has been with the business since 2011.

Originally from Scotland, O’Connor brings with him a wealth of international media experience, having worked at PHD in London on the likes of Unilever, along with spells at Starcom and Mindshare working on IBM, Samsung, EMI and Activision.

“Along with big-name brands in the UK, Gareth has prior experience in Auckland-based media agencies, and we are delighted he’s now been enticed back to Kiwi shores,” says Stanley.

O’Connor has admired PHD group in New Zealand for many years for its outstanding strategic thinking ability. He says, “Internationally, New Zealand is renowned as one of the strongest PHD offices. Combining this local strength with my international experience, I feel it will be a winning combination for clients and the overall business. I’m thrilled to be coming home and I can’t wait to get started.”

Stanley adds that O’Connor will be a very welcome addition to the agency’s ‘Connected Specialists’ offering: “We have so many specialists under one roof; from trading to social media, from activation to search, from media relations to mobile. Coupled with our connected ways of working and powerful strategic tools, we deliver a depth of expertise and holistic multi-channel approach that sets us apart. It’s great to have Gareth on-board as we position ourselves as the agency of the future.”

Davidson has been with Spark PHD for nine years, working on NZ Lotteries, Vodafone and Sanitarium. During that time, Stanley says he has demonstrated exceptional strategic ability.

“We’re consistently impressed by James’ ability to distil the team’s thinking and drive the development of truly innovative campaigns. Now our clients across all arms of the business – media, digital, and PR and activation – will benefit from his results-focused planning skills,” adds Stanley.

Davidson is also instrumental in running the industry-first gamification tool ‘Source’– a game-changing planning approach with a strategy framework and live engine that allows everyone across the global PHD network to work together in real-time – encouraging collaboration and deeper thinking.

Louise Bond, PHD Group CEO, says expanding the Strategy Team is all about giving clients an unparalleled strategic approach in a world that’s increasingly digitised, socialised and connected.

“Insight-driven strategy development is at the heart of everything we do. Our strategic strength is not only crucial to our own success, it’s essential in delivering world-class campaigns and excellent results for our clients.

“Combined with our creativity, our strong industry relationships and our commitment to flawless execution, our growing Strategy Team will ensure we stay ahead in the fast-changing media landscape,” says Bond.

Davidson’s new role is effective immediately and O’Connor joins the team on 20 October 2014.

ENDS

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