Claxon appoints Keith Byrne as executive CD; Ari Saikkonen joins as performance director

(Pictured L-R: Ray O’Sullivan chief revenue officer, Phillippa Netolicky chief growth officer, Stephen Forth CEO, Teagan Peake operations manager, Ari Saikkonen performance director and Keith Byrne executive creative director)

Global growth agency, Claxon, has further expanded its Australian leadership team with the appointment of Keith Byrne as executive creative director and Ari Saikkonen as performance director.

Says Stephen Forth, chief executive officer at Claxon: “The global talent pool remains highly competitive and attracting experienced senior leaders is tough!

“Appointing both Byrne and Saikkonen, further enhances our growth strategy and the continued expansion of the Claxon brand in Australia and globally.”

Previously at Digitas Singapore and prior to that R/GA and Ogilvy in London, Byrne adds considerable strength to our already capable creative team.

Says Byrne: “Claxon isn’t just building a brilliant Australian agency, but a brilliant network of global agencies. It’s not everyday you get the opportunity to shape a global organisation in its infancy. I’m honoured, excited and am looking forward to driving creativity at Claxon across our work and our people.”

Saikkonen also brings to Claxon years of experience from his time as head of digital marketing at Grace Loves Lace, digital marketing manager at Ardent Leisure and head of performance media at McCann.

Says Forth: “Joining our media team at such an exciting time, Ari will further expand our data offering as well as continuing to build on our successful media offering.”

Says Saikkonen: “I am really excited to join the Claxon team. The growth trajectory, the talent and the service offering presents a great opportunity to be part of an exciting and high performing team.”

Adds Forth: “We continue to build our leadership and capability, and our ambition is clear. Hyper-creativity and non-negotiable performance are core pillars we deliver in our engagement with clients and industry, and we are excited to invest in this further with such proven talent like Keith and Ari.”