Ian Perrin emerges as boss of Zenith Optimedia
Ian Perrin, the former MD of Naked Communications whose departure was announced last week, has emerged as the boss of struggling media agency Zenith Optimedia.
Perrin, who starts on 28 November, fills the top job left vacant since the departure of Belinda Rowe to a global Zenith role in 2009. He duties include responsibility for the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland offices.
Regional CEO Phil Talbot has been running the agency in the interim with Mark Kennedy, the MD of VivaKi Exchange, Publicis Groupe’s central buying unit.
Perrin said he was excited to be taking on a role working at an agency that has “without doubt, the most exciting client list of any media agency in Australia.” Zenith’s clients include Nestle, L’Oreal, News Ltd, Lexus and Qantas, an account it is currently defending.
Perrin’s management team includes strategic director Nicole Milward, COO Andrew Sherman and Mark Kennedy, who has his role expanded to cover new trading methods with clients and media owners.
Talbot said: “We very much see Australia as a growth market and in many ways a leadership market for the Asia Pacific region. We have strong ambitions and a clear vision on what we need to deliver to meet clients changing needs. Ian very much shares that vision and we are looking forward to him adding his talents in developing our plans further.”
In Perrin’s career, he has worked at agencies including MindShare in New York and Asia, and Ogilvy Johannesburg.
Perrin said, in a press release:
“I am excited about the opportunity to work at ZenithOptimedia. It has, without doubt, the most exciting client list of any media agency in Australia, and proven track record of delivering both creative and effective solutions for clients. ROI is something that too many people in our business pay lip service to, whereas ZO has built its business around this principle. The agency’s passion for insights and understanding the changing nature of Australian consumers in this context is second to none. I am looking forward to getting started and to growing its reputation further.”
Great move ZO. They need some fresh, smart leadership.
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Dang – he cute – is he single?
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Congrats Ian! Well deserved. Can’t wait to see how you shake things up
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Nice one ZO. Congratulations Ian
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