Following an international search, CX-driven retail agency 99 has announced that Dan Bye – a multi-award winning communications strategist – has joined the agency as director of strategy.
Bye has arrived at the Auckland-based agency from Sydney, where he most recently held the position of strategy director at Leo Burnett. He brings significant strategic firepower to the agency, from prior roles as strategy director at M&C Saatchi Australia, head of planning at OMD Sydney and strategy director at SapientNitro.
He has been ranked among the top 10 planning directors in the world by the Big Won Rankings (#7 in 2015). His experience includes strategic leadership roles for brands such as Telstra, Google, Optus, Lexus and Commonwealth Bank.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have Dan join 99 in this key leadership role,” said 99 managing director Paul Manning.
“Attracting high-level talent of Dan’s calibre is a challenge in the market for any agency, especially when it involves a move across the Tasman. Dan is a truly world-class strategist. He will bring our clients a wealth of experience, having worked at some of Australia’s top agencies, across dozens of leading brands. And best of all, he is incredibly down-to-earth and an ideal cultural fit for our team.”
Dan Bye said: “99 is an outstanding business with a long pedigree of successful client partnerships and a key agency within the Clemenger Group.
“But what really grabbed me was the company’s vision – to be an experience-driven agency operating at the intersection of creativity, data, technology and content. I think in today’s rapidly evolving consumer landscape, that’s exactly the space for an agency to be positioning itself.
“The exciting opportunity for me is building out our strategic offering, taking into account all customer touchpoints and channels, and creating effective solutions to solve business problems. I look forward to working with existing and new clients that share 99’s vision and helping them to connect with consumers in new and meaningful ways.”
Bye started this week and will join 99’s executive leadership team. His arrival further reinforces the agency’s strategic offer, recently bolstered with the appointment of Greg Forsyth to director of technology, data and innovation.
About 99
99 is a CX agency with retail at its heart. It’s also one of New Zealand’s largest agencies with over 130 people working across all core communication disciplines. 99 operates one of the most comprehensive production facilities in the country with advanced in-house television and content editing, audio, photography, digital and artwork studios.
About Clemenger Group
99 is part of Clemenger Group, Australasia’s leading communications holding company. 99 is the second largest Clemenger Group agency in New Zealand, after Colenso BBDO. Clemenger Group operates across the marketing services spectrum with specialist companies offering clients best-of-category expertise in various disciplines. The company’s purpose is to provide the most compelling commercial content, no matter what the distribution channel.
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