More integration at Clemenger BBDO as it names strategy lead across Melbourne and Sydney
Clemenger Group has extended Jacqueline Witts’ remit, promoting her to the role of chief strategy officer across both Clemenger BBDO Melbourne and Sydney, following the departure of Lilian Sor last month.
Paul Rees-Jones has also been appointed as chief brand officer across both offices, in what appears to be increasing integration across the Melbourne and Sydney Clemenger BBDO offices, after last month it elevated Melbourne ECD, Jim Curtis to the role of national chief creative officer.
Witts and Rees-Jones take on dual-market roles
Witts was previously head of planning in Melbourne, joining in 2020 from AJF Partnership, holding roles previously at TBWA and JWT. She also lectures on strategic planning for the ACA as well as previously serving as president for Youngbloods Australia.
CEO of Clemenger Group, Les Timar said: “Clemenger Group CEO Les Timar said: “Jacqueline is a highly engaged and well-regarded strategist who embodies the creative and innovative ethos that we strive to instill in our people, and in the work we do for our clients. Our creativity cannot thrive without best-in-class strategy and planning. It is the foundation stone of our best work.”
“With this promotion, we are thrilled to acknowledge Jacqueline’s industry-leading expertise, which has been an essential component to the evolution and success of Clemenger BBDO in recent years.”
Clemenger said she will be “focused on utilising creativity to help clients identify new opportunities, drive growth, solve complex business problems and build enduring value”.
In his newly created role, Rees-Jones will partner with senior client executives in the “development of Organisational Purpose, Brand Platform and Identity, EVP, CVP, Social Impact and Brand Architecture”, the group said, as well as leading its proprietary AustraliaNOW cultural research.
Timar added: “Paul has been instrumental in Clemenger BBDO’s most iconic, creative and effective work, both here in Australia and globally. He will focus on aligning internal organisational cultures with our external system of brand experiences to create new and enduring value for our clients, which is critical to our future success
Clemenger Group was asked about what further integration can be expected across both agencies, however had not responded at the time of publishing.
Last month, when asked if further integration across the two agencies was in the works, the agency responded that there were no further plans at this stage. Both agencies operate with separate CEOs, with Brent Kerby appointed as CEO of Clemenger BBDO Sydney earlier this year, following the departure of Pete Bosilkovski in late 2021.
The group said that both Witts and Rees-Jones will work closely with the executive, creative and planning teams across both offices to ensure “seamless transition in the new national roles”.
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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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