Howatson + Company continues expansion with chief strategy officer appointment
Dom Hickey has joined Howatson + Company as chief strategy officer. She joins the independent from Omnicom’s DDB, where she was head of planning.
The appointment comes just a week after both Richard Shaw and Jeremy Hogg were hired as executive creative directors, and just over a month after Hoang Nguyen joined as the agency’s first chief data and technology officer. All three joined from founder and CEO, Chris Howatson’s former agency, CHEP Network.
Hickey steps up in to the CSO role at H+C
Howatson said that while the agency searched globally for the CSO role, “as is so often the case, the very best person is living right next door”. He added that the two have known each other for many years, “but now have the pleasure of being teammates”.
“Dom’s the perfect strategy leader. She’s a modern planner, empathic to all marketing disciplines and importantly how they come together across the brand and customer experience.
Hickey added: “I’ve been watching Howatson+Company from afar, and I’m delighted to get the chance to join them. It’s an incredible team of lovely people, smart, sharp and on the tools. I’m excited about the work we can bring into the world by collaborating across all disciplines in one place.”
During her six years at DBB, Hickey’s work covered the Westpac, Coles, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, and Domain accounts. Her new agency said that strategically, “she’s worked across every dimension of marketing from brand transformation to brand experience”.
Howatson also said: “Her first career was in the police force as a crime scene photographer. What a way to start a career in understanding human behaviour.”
Fran Clayton DDB Sydney chief strategy officer commented on Hickey’s departure: “Across almost six years at DDB, Dom has made a hugely positive impact on the people she’s worked with and the work she’s been a part of. We miss her already and wish her well in her new role.”
Outside of her agency work, Hickey contributes regularly to judging on several industry judging panels, as well as teaching at Ad School and hosting a podcast, The Junior Mafia.
Since the agency was launched at the start of last year as Howatson + White, then rebranding, to Howatson + Company, it now has grown to 53 staff as it passed its first birthday in the market this week.
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Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
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Congratulations darling Dom! I can say she’s the best creative collaborator I’ve ever worked with. All the best for an exciting and rewarding new chapter. Best, AK
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