AUCKLAND, Today: Leading subscription-based digital content production company VideoTaxi has appointed communications industry expert Isobel Kerr-Newell, ex-Publicis Groupe, as its new ceo, with “ambitious plans for the future”.
Kerr-Newell joins the Auckland-based VideoTaxi team after 17 years working with the Publicis Groupe, most recently as Managing Director of MSL New Zealand (Publicis Groupe’s global PR & Communications network).
She has commenced her role and is based at VideoTaxi’s Galatos Street, Auckland offices.
Her agency experience prior to MSL spans a multitude of leadership roles in PR, social, marketing & business development at Saatchi & Saatchi hubs in New Zealand and London. Her UK-based role also saw her extend to servicing clients across Europe, Middle East and Africa.
As a former member of the Champions for Change Governance Group, a Champion for Change herself and a current Global Women member, Kerr-Newell brings a passion for creating inclusive, thriving workplaces with her to the new role.
VideoTaxi has a substantial current subscriber base, including many household brands such as Chorus, Countdown and Mercury.
Kerr-Newell takes the helm as the company ramps up for further development of its successful subscription-based digital content production offering, with a focus on accelerating growth, both in New Zealand and abroad, as well as building teams and strengthening company culture.
“She takes the helm as the company ramps up for development of its subscription-based digital content production offering.”
Her appointment follows Oculus Investments growth capital investment in the business in August 2022 and continued growth in its subscriber base.
Kerr-Newell said: “Having had the opportunity to see the potential in VideoTaxi first-hand through my involvement as a non-executive director, when I was approached to join as ceo to spearhead this next phase of growth, it was a natural next step for me.
“I have experienced first-hand the challenges of creating high quality content at scale.
“VideoTaxi has looked at every single pain point in the content creation experience and replaced it with something that works better, creating a business model that is all about ease, efficiency, and innovation. The future of communications is video – across every touchpoint, so I am very excited to be joining a business so well positioned to meet this increasing need.”
VideoTaxi chairman Mark Lewis said: “Isobel will bring deep experience across communications and content and a track record of managing businesses for growth.
“Her vision to develop a truly future-facing video communications business aligns perfectly with our own investment strategy and we are thrilled to have her on board to realise VideoTaxi’s potential.
“Her time on our board of directors has made for a seamless transition into the ceo role and we look forward to seeing the benefits for our employees and customers of her clear focus on sustainable growth, backed by a modern, inclusive business culture.”
More about Isobel Kerr-Newell
During her time with the Publicis network, Isobel worked on key local and global clients including De’Longhi Group, Global Women and Champions for Change, Sport New Zealand, Uber, ASB Bank, Toyota and Lexus, the NZ Defence Force, Carlsberg, P&G and Deutsche Telekom.
She was also heavily involved in Saatchi & Saatchi’s pro-bono efforts across EMEA and was an integral part of the acclaimed The HIV+ Issue (Saatchi & Saatchi Switzerland), Blood Relations (Saatchi & Saatchi Israel), as well as leading the international PR around Days of Hope (Saatchi & Saatchi Berlin). All campaigns have received numerous awards, notably, nine Lions for The HIV+ Issue, five Gold Lions for Blood Relations and six Silver Lions for Days of Hope.
While at Saatchi & Saatchi, she was appointed to the board of directors of Saatchi & Saatchi Sweden and the network’s global sustainability advisory board. She joined the board of VideoTaxi as a Non-executive director in January 2022. She is also currently on the advisory board of a New Zealand luxury brand start-up.
Before joining Saatchi & Saatchi, she spent five years with SweeneyVesty PR Wellington, transferring to London to open their UK division.
Prior to entering the communications industry, she worked in the arts and music industry, producing large-scale, multi-disciplinary creative events.
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