The Clemenger Group has unveiled senior management changes at the group’s PR agency Porter Novelli NZ. Managing director Strahan Wallis will move to the US as managing director of Porter Novelli Southern California.
NZ executive director Sarah Williams, an eight-year veteran at the company, has been appointed managing director taking over from Wallis on Saturday 1 July.
“Porter Novelli NZ has transformed itself under Strahan’s stewardship, winning national and international awards, delivering sustainable year-on-year growth, and attracting enviable new clients and people,” says Clemenger Group ceo Jim Moser.
“The Porter Novelli NZ culture is a core strength of the agency as evidenced by the ease of succession from Strahan to Sarah and the virtually non-existent staff turnover the past three years.
“Strahan joined us seven years ago, and in that time, he has developed from a senior account director to general manager and then managing director. Since taking over as MD three years ago, Strahan has built an incredible team that consistently delivers quality work for their clients.
“This focus on excellence and retaining top consultants has led to strong growth and multiple awards.
“We wish him well in this next evolution of his career and look forward to his return home – he’ll always be welcome at the Clemenger Group.”
Sarah Williams joined the agency eight years ago and has been in the industry for more than 20 years including leadership roles at Vodafone NZ and Vector. “Working alongside Strahan has been a career highlight,” she says.
“While the team is sad to see him go, we’re also thrilled for him. Porter Novelli NZ is in great shape and I am incredibly excited about leading the team to the next stage. We have an enviable client list, an extraordinary team and a market leading practice. I look forward to the challenges ahead and helping our clients be successful.”
Executive director Louise Wright-Bush continues in her role in NZ. Over the coming months, the agency will replace Williams’ existing role as executive director.
“This is the best place I have ever worked and I’m incredibly honoured to have worked with such a talented team” says Wallis.
I’m stoked to continue working for Porter Novelli, recently named as the best large agency to work for in North America by the Holmes Report 2017. I want to thank our Kiwi team for their enduring support, loyalty and best-practice work. It is a testament to them that I can step into this exciting new role.
“Sarah Williams is one of the industry leaders who I admire and respect the most and I know she will take our agency from strength to strength.”
Aamplify adds B2B grunt
Queen St-based IT marketing & brand strategist Aamplify reckons they have become a success story in their own right by sharing the stories of others.
The company has grown from just five staff to over 25 in only four years with representation in Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne.
The rapid growth has seen the recent addition to the team of Simon Shaw, who has taken up the newly created role of client marketing director.
Shaw hails from a B2B marketing background with over 18 years’ experience on both client and agency side. He has held senior marketing roles in New Zealand, France, the UK and Australia.
As client marketing director, Shaw will manage campaign strategy for customers across both sides of the Tasman. He aims to enhance their business success with a diverse range of new digital services to deliver on Aamplify’s promise of business transformation through brand activation.
“We are delighted to have Simon Shaw join us and use his skills and knowledge to help realise our client’s goals,” said Aamplify managing partner Samuel Williams.
“Our business has flourished over the past four years and I think it is important to stop, take stock and celebrate triumphs. Our company’s achievements can be attributed to having a great team of passionate, authentic storytellers who create unique propositions for our clients.
“Client partner Warwick Grey has been instrumental in our success, both here and offshore and adding Simon to the mix will allow us to offer our clients an even greater depth of marketing expertise.”
About Aamplify
Aamplify was founded by Samuel Williams four years ago and is underpinned by a philosophy of design-led thinking. They aim to provide forward thinking New Zealand businesses with compelling brand stories that encourage an emotional connection between products and services, and the people who use them. www.aamplify.partners
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