iProspect’s Sam Cousins jumps ship to The Media Store
Chief strategy officer at iProspect, and Dentsu stalwart, Sam Cousins has departed the group to join indie agency The Media Store in the same role, Mumbrella can reveal.
The move is the second major departure from the agency since media CEO Danny Bass’ arrival in 2022, following a Ollie Rapson’s decision to focus on his wine business.
Cousins moves to the indie shop
The Media Store’s director and chief operating officer, Jacquie Alley confirmed the move to Mumbrella, as well as the hire of Max Rivera as its data analytics director from Amobee.
She said: “If we truly want to reimagine media for our clients we have to start at the top with a strategic vision anchored in our clients’ business. It’s then through our depth of consumer understanding that we can deliver effective and real outcomes for clients through a strong data and analytics offering.
“These key senior appointments speak to our commitment to never stand still, to reimagine what is possible for our clients both now and well into the future. We warmly welcome Sam and Max to the senior leadership team.”
CEO media, Dentsu ANZ, Danny Bass told Mumbrella: “Sam’s been an excellent team player, contributing to the success of the many teams she has worked with over her nearly 17 years with Dentsu, most recently leading strategy for iProspect. We will miss her love of storytelling and her keen observations on the industry, and we wish her all the best as she wraps up her time with us and prepares for her next role.”
On joining The Media Store, Cousins said that to say she is excited is an understatement.
“Going to an independent agency that has a strong growth ambition anchored in Australian brands and consumers is hugely attractive to me. I can’t wait to get under the skin of what our clients need and deliver meaningful communications planning
which results in strong business outcomes, especially when we face yet another year of challenging conditions for our clients.”
“The icing on the top is a team of great human beings strongly connected through an amazing culture. I can’t wait to see what we are all capable of in 2023.”
Cousins first joined Mitchell & Partners in 2006 as group account director, her first role after moving to Australia from London, before becoming group strategy director and holding the role until 2016, through the agency’s transition into the Dentsu group.
Rivera joins The Media Store from Amobee
Cousins was later national head of strategy and planning after the agency’s rebrand to DentsuX, then joining iProspect in 2020.
The hires are part of a rebuild of The Media Store, which also includes winning the Travel Texas media account recently.
Rivera added: “I’m thrilled to join TMS because of its commitment to excellence, great leaders and inspiring culture. With my experience in product, data, and analytics, I’m thrilled to help to drive TMS’s continued success and growth. I’m also excited to collaborate with TMS’s talented teams, leveraging data and analytics to drive insights and uncover new opportunities for the company to grow and evolve its product offerings.”
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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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