WPP’s Prism hires Shannan Quinn as Australian MD, and Brodie Watson as group services director

WPP’s sports entertainment and sponsorship agency Prism has appointed Shannan Quinn as its Australian managing director.

He is joining Prism from QMS where he spent seven months as sports sales director. Previously, he spent two years as the head of sport partnerships and talent at 20 Four, and almost five years at Mindshare leaving as the head of sports partnerships.

Shannan Quinn and Brodie Watson are joining WPP AUNZ’s sports agency Prism

Also joining Prism is Brodie Watson as group services director. Watson has held a number of roles in sports and partnerships, previously working at Octagon, Sydney Swans and Qantas Golf. Most recently he was the sponsorship and partnership director at Thread Communications.

Quinn and Watson will be working with the Prism team to develop stronger relationships within WPP AUNZ and its clients, particularly with Group M and its sponsorship evaluation tools and data analysis.

Prism AUNZ chairman Justin Ricketts said in a statement: “Shannan has a deep understanding of the sponsorship landscape, is a strategic thinker and is well connected in the sports and entertainment world. Combined with Brodie’s brand expertise and strong client management skills, the Prism team now boasts some of the country’s best sport and entertainment talent. We’re excited to have them on board to continue Prism’s expansion, and our ongoing focus on helping brands to become a part of every day culture and to engage with consumers via their deep passion for sport and entertainment.”

WPP AUNZ interim CEO John Steedman added that Prism now had opportunities to work more with the wider group.

“The Prism team lives and breathes the culture of sport and entertainment, and its key purpose will always be to proactively work with its clients in a truly collaborative process,” he said.

“However, we’ve also identified a great opportunity for Prism to share its capability among agencies within WPP AUNZ, and in particular, Group M. As a result, the Prism team will be providing specialist counsel to select parts of the Group M business, while tapping into its global expertise and connections. We look forward to driving even more innovative partnership solutions across the group as a result.”