Ogilvy Network Australia New Zealand has confirmed Fran Clayton will be joining the creative network as chief strategy officer in July, after Mediaweek broke the news last Thursday.
Clayton, who joins the agency after almost 10 years at DDB Sydney, called the role a “dream”: “This is a strategy leader’s dream; an agency with a culture of creative effectiveness, an incredible line up of talent and a roster of clients that includes some of the world’s best marketers.
“But the thing that excites me most is the ambition of Ogilvy ANZ’s leadership. I’m thrilled to be joining Sally and Toby and can’t wait to get stuck in with the teams across Australia and New Zealand.”
Ogilvy Network ANZ CEO Sally Kissane added: “We’re thrilled to have Fran join the team to lead our already strong strategy team across both our Australian and New Zealand offices.
“Not only is she incredible at what she does, she is an exceptional leader, and a wonderful human. We can’t wait for her to get started.”
Clayton brings over 23 years of experience to the role, including senior positions at McCann, Publicis Mojo, and Saatchi & Saatchi, in addition to DDB. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Advertising Council of Australia.
The role will be based in Sydney, working closely with the strategy teams across all local Ogilvy offices, including New Zealand. Clayton will work alongside CCO Toby Talbot, and Toby Harrison, who was recently named the agency’s consulting, growth, and innovation lead.
See also: Toby Harrison and Dan Krigstein: Drinking from the fountain of youth…fulness
“I’m really looking forward to working with Fran again. I have watched her become this incredible figurehead in Australian marketing and advertising in the intervening years,” Talbot said.
“DDB invented planning. Fran has the smarts to take what’s she learned there and reinvent it. I cannot wait to partner with her in this new role. Happy days.”
Last week, DDB Group Sydney CEO Sheryl Marjoram said of Clayton’s move: “We could not be more thrilled for Fran in this new, larger role at Ogilvy … She did a brilliant job at DDB and we’re incredibly proud.
“We have begun the recruitment process for our new chief strategy officer, so stay tuned.”
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Top Image (L-R): Sally Kissane and Fran Clayton