Stanley St became New Zealand’s largest independent agency in August this year when Ogilvy New Zealand managing director, Greg Partington, purchased WPP AUNZ’s shares in Ogilvy New Zealand and the agency was rebranded.
Now joint executive creative directors, Lisa Fedyszyn and Jonathan McMahon, have decided to move on and the agency is investing in local talent, with appointments in five new roles in its Wellington office.
“The agency’s move toward local ownership and independence was fuelled by its desire to retain profits in New Zealand, creating the ability to invest in both the agency group, and its clients,” Stanley Street stated in its release.
The new roles cover agency leadership, planning, creative, design, media and client service, taking the agency to a team size of twenty employees (pictured above).
Aaron White will take up the role of head of Stanley St Wellington arriving in the new role with a wealth of experience in leading change-focused business strategy across the largely Government focused Wellington market. White is the former general manager of M&C Saatchi, Aim Proximity and Stanley St’s former namesake, Ogilvy NZ.
“I am massively excited to be part of the agency group’s plan to create a compelling offering, focused specifically on the Wellington market,” he stated.
“Our Wellington-based clients have very unique challenges and objectives; our response to delivering against these needs is a strong on the ground team, with local knowledge and full-service capabilities.”
Lizzie Baird joins as senior copywriter from Y&R New Zealand, where she has been a copywriter for the last five and a half years. Suzy O’Connell becomes a senior account director.
Nathan Chambers, the group’s long serving head of design, is relocating back to Wellington. Chambers has led Stanley St’s design team for over eight years, during which time it has become one of the most highly-awarded agency-based design teams in the industry.
Following its launch, Stanley St has also integrated Wellington digital and user experience agency, Alloy, to provide the market with a seamless and competitive full-service offering. Clare Warne, who has demonstrated real strength and expertise in this space, has been appointed head of digital transformation across the Stanley St group.
“Stanley St Wellington will be a true reflection of the agency’s commitment to local. Investing in capabilities to build a strong local, full-service agency that will partner with our clients to help them achieve their goals,” she noted.