Leadership hiatus fails to to ruffle ad-man Roberts

Kevin Roberts. Photo / Dean Purcell

Saatchi & Saatchi global chief executive Kevin Roberts is taking the hiatus for the top position at the New Zealand agency in his stride.

On Friday, Saatchi & Saatchi appointed DDB London-based creative Dylan Harrison as executive creative director at the Auckland agency whose clients include Toyota, DB Breweries and Telecom.

Melbourne-born Harrison starts on February 22 - the same day as the new chief executive Nicola Bell.

Bell is an executive with Ogilvy Advertising in New York who was appointed at the end of last year.

Harrison is a strong replacement after 13 years in London, including 10 years with DDB.

He picked up numerous international awards for clients including Volkswagen, Marmite, Budweiser and the Guardian newspaper.

He replaces Mike O'Sullivan, who left the agency with chief executive Andrew Stone at the end of last year.

O'Sullivan and Stone have been associated with some of New Zealand's highest-profile advertising campaigns and are believed to be establishing a new agency with Air New Zealand among its clients.

The departure and appointment of a creative leader marks a major change to one of New Zealand's highest-profile ad agencies

New York-based Roberts, aka KR, has long had a close affinity with the New Zealand agency and spends part of his year based from an office at its building in Parnell.

He is a director of Telecom and has played a big role in negotiations for the departure of Stone and O'Sullivan.

Saatchi & Saatchi public relations agency SweeneyVesty said local management were reporting to the Asia Pacific chairman and chief executive Ian Rowden.

Asked if KR is in charge in the interim, SweeneyVesty could not say. "But you would be surprised how much an interest he takes in the agency," said a spokesman.

GRAND DESIGNS

Ad industry veteran Mike Watkins has been appointed group general manager at agency Designworks.

It handles brand design for Auckland International Airport's welcome to New Zealand brand and for Monteith's beer.

Designworks created the hurriedly drawn asterisk Telecom used as its new logo. Mike Watkins is a known name around the advertising and marketing traps.

He had almost 20 years experience in the industry, including stints as managing partner of Meares/Taine/MTC, general manager of M&C Saatchi, managing partner at DDB and general manager at Film Construction.

His ad agency days came to an end in July 2007.

The Herald understands DDB Group parted company with Watkins after he spent seven unhappy months as account director on its biggest account - the fast food firm, McDonald's. Watkins' compensation package from his old employers at DDB was upsized, so he did not go hungry.

GETTING SOCIAL

Jasons Travel Media says it is developing its profile in social media after conducting two surveys. Of 216 travel consumers planning a holiday this year, 91 per cent went to websites related to their destination. The publishing firm said 65 per cent of consumers read online reviews of accommodation and activities when planning a holiday.

Of those returning from a trip, 30 per cent shared their experience online. Jason's chief executive Matthew Mayne said trends among travellers for social media show this will increase.

Of those who use social media, 33 per cent interact with businesses on Facebook, Twitter and other social media websites.

PRODUCER EXITS

Radio New Zealand producer Meredith McGrath is leaving to be a publicist for the publisher, Hachette.

The Auckland-based producer for Afternoons with Jim Mora was among staff who raised alarm bells about Mora's fill-in host Noelle McCarthy and plagiarism.

Initially Radio New Zealand dismissed concerns about plagiarism, but took action after an an investigation.

"She's moving on to better and bigger things - for which we wish her all the very best," said Radio New Zealand networks manager John Howson.

McGrath leaves on Friday.