Spinach Melbourne hires senior relationship and channel planning specialist Ben Willee

Melbourne creative outfit Spinach Advertising has hired renowned channel planning specialist Ben Willee in what will be a new position within the agency.

Beginning in January, Willee will utilise his broad media agency experience across the areas of general management, business development and channel planning within the creative agency, working closely with founders Craig Flanders and Frank Morabito.

Flanders said Willee’s strong strategic skills and business management experience would help drive a new skill set at Spinach, focussing on driving investment effectiveness for clients.

Says Flanders: “Ben has an incredible track record in the area of consumer insights, ROI analytics, revenue growth and sticky client relationships, skills that will be well utilised by Spinach as we move to the next phase of our company’s development.We’re excited to have someone with Ben’s business experience join the team and integrate with our creative talents as we have a strong focus on growth into 2012.”

Most recently the managing partner of Ikon in Melbourne,Willee also honed his management and strategic skills at Initiative, working out of both its London and Melbourne offices. 

Willee said he was excited at the prospect of joining a creative agency and putting his business skills to use while gaining exposure to new specialist skills.

Says Willee: “When I started my career in media, it operated very separately to the creative process.  And while I’ve had exposure to working with some outstanding creative agencies on successful campaigns over the years, joining Spinach and working side by side with its creative team will provide me with an opportunity to add value in a totally new way. I can’t wait to get started. “