Publicis Groupe appoints Helge Gruettke in chief client officer role to lead The Neighbourhood

Publicis Groupe ANZ is pleased to announce the arrival of new chief client officer, Helge Gruettke, who is set to lead the recently won Campbell Arnott’s APAC business.

He comes on board to lead ‘The Neighbourhood’, the Publicis Groupe’s ‘Power of One’ agency model encompassing creative, media, digital, shopper, PR and speciality expertise from across the Groupe, and purpose built to service Campbell Arnott’s with full P&L accountability for the business.

A marketing and communications leader with over 18 years experience growing global brands such as Netflix, Rip Curl, McDonald’s, Hyundai, Allianz, IBM, Beck’s, DHL and Shell across all channels, Gruettke is passionate about the capabilities of digital and new technologies, and how to best apply them to develop great work and customer experiences.

He arrives at Publicis Groupe from his role as client service director at VML Sydney, where he was responsible for new business and managing the client services team across the entire agency client portfolio. This included delivering digital and social content for Nivea, platform builds and product development for Rip Curl, digital transformation for Hyundai, and pan-regional digital campaigns for Netflix across APAC.  

Prior to this, Gruettke was group business head on the Telstra account at CX agency Lavender and his most recent international experience includes positions held as global brand leader on Allianz at GREY, Düsseldorf, director of business development at BBDO Germany, and European communications director at Geometry London.

Says Gruettke: “I’m looking forward to leading the direction of the Campbell Arnott’s Asia Pacific business and to be working closely with newly appointed chief strategy integration officer, Kate Smither. To be part of such a progressive agency model, led by CEO Michael Rebelo, means I’m in the privileged position to do my best work with the support of a stellar Groupe-wide team.”

Says David McNeil, CMO, Asia Paciifc, Campbell Arnott’s: “Campbell Arnott’s is delighted to welcome Helge to The Neighbourhood. His passion and pedigree are ideally suited for us as we pursue our goal of having a leading-edge, truly integrated and fully accountable communication model housed under one roof.”

Says Michael Rebelo, CEO, Publicis Communications ANZ: “At the heart of our Power of One model for Campbell Arnott’s is a leader that is fully empowered and accountable to bring the best talent and solutions from across our Groupe. A progressive model is a key part of the puzzle, it needs great leadership and talent to fulfil the ambition. We have that in Helge.”