WPP AUNZ appoints Ogilvy’s David Fox to chief transformation officer – creative agencies role

WPP AUNZ has announced the appointment of David Fox as the group’s chief transformation officer – creative agencies, charged with driving growth and collaboration across the group’s advertising agency network.

Fox will split his time overseeing eight WPP AUNZ advertising agencies across both Australia and New Zealand – including Ogilvy, Y&R Group, J. Walter Thompson, whiteGREY, The Brand Agency, Spinach, Assignment and IM Advertising – plus continue in his current role as CEO of Ogilvy Australia.

Says Mike Connaghan, CEO, WPP AUNZ: “In order to drive and achieve our goal to deliver 100% of a client’s customer experience we need world class leaders at the helm of our business groups.  What has become increasingly clear to me is that not having a member of the Exco much closer to, and focused on, our advertising agencies was a missed opportunity.

“We need our traditional ad agencies to continue to grow and transition their offer to remain strong communication partners to their clients. Foxy is an outstanding individual with unrivalled creative and management credentials and he is the ideal person to lead the charge and move the Ad Agencies through their next growth phase.

“Foxy’s appointment will not only bring together specialist expertise and talent from across the ad agencies but allows for greater agility and ability for quick and informed decision-making. This is a serious appointment and I am delighted he has accepted the role.”  

A globally-recognised and highly respected leader with more than 23 years’ industry experience, Fox started his career at Batey Kazoo in Sydney in 1995 before moving to Singleton Ogilvy and Mather in 1999, where he rose through the ranks to executive director of the Sydney agency in 2003.

In 2005 Fox was transferred to London to work on global clients for OgilvyAction, which then merged with G2 in 2013.   He returned to Australia to take up the role of CEO Ogilvy Australia in 2014.

Says Fox: “When it comes to advertising and integrated brand communications Australia is one of the most competitive, dynamic and creative markets in the world. In my new role I am excited to be working with the WPP AUNZ’s ad agency leads to continue to develop, improve and add capability to the collective businesses. They are an outstanding group of talented individuals and together we will achieve great results for our clients and ultimately more success for the agencies.”

Fox’s new position is effective immediately, reporting directly to Mike Connaghan and the WPP AUNZ Board.