Sunita Gloster leaves PwC to join WPP AUNZ as chief customer officer
PwC’s Sunita Gloster is to take the newly-created role of chief customer officer at WPP AUNZ after less than a year with the consulting firm.
Gloster joined PwC in January this year after a five month stint as Ten’s chief commercial and strategy officer, having joined the network after four years as the CEO of the Australian Association of National Advertisers.
‘The opportunity to be one of the architects in the plan that shapes WPP AUNZ for the future is one I couldn’t refuse’, said Gloster
Gloster will take up the WPP AUNZ role in January 2019 and report to the group’s yet to be appointed CEO. In the interim Gloster will work with WPP AUNZ executive director John Steedman and join the group’s leadership team.
Last month, long standing CEO Mike Connaghan quit WPP AUNZ and the group’s shares collapsed 28% after revealing this year’s revenue and profit estimates would be missed.
Speaking about her appointment, Gloster said: “The spotlight is on WPP to navigate the acceleration in media, communications, customer experience and technology with an approach that meets the evolving needs of the market and enables marketers to deliver growth.
“The opportunity to be one of the architects in the plan that shapes WPP AUNZ for the future is one I couldn’t refuse.”
Steedman added: “Sunita is an exceptional connector of people and opportunity and a catalyst for action. She has a high level of credibility with our people locally and internationally, our clients and the market. Having Sunita focused on and championing our clients’ needs will be beneficial across all our partnerships.”
The CCO role will be part of WPP AUNZ’s focusing on growth and creating a leadership profile said Steedman: “Through the lens of our clients, this role will ensure the WPP AUNZ offer addresses the needs of customers and partners in a challenging and complex time for marketing communications.
“The role will also draw upon expertise from WPP global, while exploring new strategic partnerships that support and better integrate the existing operational units to drive growth for WPP AUNZ clients.”
WPP AUNZ chairman Robert Mactier said: “Sunita is recognised for her leadership across the industry and has a unique perspective on the evolving needs of our clients through her varied executive experience.
“Critically she has played a central role in many of the key issues that have shaped the industry in recent years and will sharpen our vision for change and growth by bringing a stronger marketer perspective to our agenda. This role is a critical new piece in how we shape WPP AUNZ.”
PwC will not be replacing Gloster, with PWC Partner and head of CMO Advisory, Justin Papps, saying: “We have a very strong team across CMO Advisory, and the broader Customer and Experience business, and will not be replacing Sunita’s role.”
“We appreciate Sunita’s contribution to PwC and wish her all the best in her new role.”
Sunita is a gun and a wonderful hire. But the timing feels weird, given there is no CEO in place…
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congratulations and good luck Sunita
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So what’s the job?
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Incredibly strange role for a holding group to create
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Brave move to take on a holding company role that’s purely overhead in this current climate.
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Agreed.
Why even have agencies beneath WPP if they’re appointing agency roles?
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Sunita Gloster is a gun and this is a brilliant hire for WPP.
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“less than a year at PwC, five months at Ten” – third time lucky she makes the year?
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