Publicis Groupe ANZ appoints Rebecca Sowden to New Zealand sport and entertainment role

Publicis Groupe ANZ has appointed Rebecca Sowden as Director of Sport, Partnerships & Content in New Zealand, where she will lead Publicis Sport & Entertainment in the market.

The role sits within Publicis Media Exchange (PMX), the group's media investment and intelligence unit. Sowden will oversee the strategic and commercial direction of the New Zealand business. 

She joins from a career spanning sport, media and partnerships, including senior leadership roles at Sky Sport and as founder of women's sport consultancy Team Heroine. 

She is also a former New Zealand women's football representative.

READ MORE: Publicis Australia outpaces global group as media and data strategy pays off

READ MORE: Publicis Groupe ANZ launches Le Truc creative collective in Australia and New Zealand

Sport remains a key growth channel

PMX Australia and New Zealand CEO Anthony Ellis said Sowden's appointment would strengthen the group's sport and entertainment offering in New Zealand.

"Sport and entertainment are increasingly among the most valuable channels for brands, combining cultural relevance, live engagement and genuine audience connection. They offer brands a unique opportunity to become part of the moments, communities and passions that matter most to people."

He added: "Rebecca's experience across rights-holders, broadcasters and partnerships makes her ideally placed to lead our sport and entertainment offering in New Zealand. By connecting our expertise across strategic consulting, brand partnerships and content innovation, we help brands show up in culture in meaningful ways and translate that engagement into measurable business outcomes."

Sowden joins Publicis Groupe

Sowden said she was joining the business at a time when sport and entertainment were becoming increasingly important for brands.

"In a world of increasing fragmentation, there has never been a more important time for sport and entertainment. Few platforms have the power to connect people at scale, transcend culture and create meaningful impact in the same way.

"I'm thrilled to be joining Publicis Groupe to help brands and partners drive growth, and to combine my passion for sports and entertainment with the Groupe's scale, creativity and connected capabilities across Australia and New Zealand."