Mars United unveils digital commerce director for ANZ
Mars United has named Ashley Wales-Brown as digital commerce director for the ANZ market.
The announcement:
Global commerce agency Mars United has appointed experienced industry leader Ashley Wales-Brown as digital commerce director, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), as the business continues to transform its connected commerce ecosystem.
After being acquired by Publicis Groupe in September 2024, Mars United rebranded from The Mars Agency to reflect its position as an innovation-driven, commercially focused, full-service partner across the entire commerce marketing spectrum, with 14 hubs worldwide.
Wales-Brown brings 20 years’ experience leading and innovating in senior roles across agency, sales, ad tech and e-commerce in both the UK and Australia.
He joins from Podean, where he spent six years as managing director and founder of the ANZ business. Pioneering in his approach, Wales-Brown led the only Amazon specialist agency in the region at the time of launch. He built a market-leading team, which won Campaign’s E-Commerce Agency of the Year award three years in a row and was the first Amazon Advanced Partner in ANZ.
Wales-Brown will supercharge Mars United ANZ’s connected commerce vision with a deep focus on simplifying the delivery of clients’ retail ambitions as the industry continues to increase in complexity. He will also leverage the significant resources and expertise at Publicis Groupe as commerce integrates into more elements of brands’ marketing plans.
Kelly Wearmouth, managing director ANZ, Mars United Commerce, said, “I am delighted to welcome Ashley to the Mars United Commerce team. I was very impressed with the work he did at Podean and the partnership he provided as I was building out the Amazon Ads business. He is incredibly adept at navigating the fast-changing commerce space and translating this into something that can meet his clients’ needs. The longstanding relationships he has with so many enterprise clients in this market are testimony to the trust he builds and the partnership he provides.”
Ashley Wales-Brown, digital commerce director ANZ, Mars United Commerce said, “Joining Mars United at this time for our industry and clients is an incredibly exciting opportunity. As the commerce space becomes increasingly fragmented, providing brands with the ability to have all their commerce objectives consolidated in one agency offering is unique and much needed. Pulling together not only the proven pedigree of Mars United but the resources and breadth of Publicis Groupe makes for a compelling proposition, which I’m excited to grow.”
Source: Publicis Groupe
