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GroupM New Zealand names new CEO

CEO for the group will build on existing success, accelerate growth, and strengthen relationships with clients and partners.

Wed, 12 Jun 2019

GroupM has promoted former Wavemaker MD and GroupM COO Chris Riley into the role of New Zealand CEO. 

In his new role, Riley will lead the strategy for the group and ensure the delivery of best in class services, capabilities and outcomes for GroupM clients in New Zealand and report to GroupM Australia & New Zealand CEO Mark Lollback.

Riley will work closely with the leadership of GroupM’s four strong agencies in New Zealand to continue the group’s recent success which includes winning eight awards at the Beacons earlier this month. Grant Anderson has been promoted to managing partner at Wavemaker and will take over leadership of the agency and join the EXCO alongside Matthew Vogts, MediaCom MD, Samantha Osborne, Mindshare MD and Zac Stephenson, Ikon MD.

GroupM formed in New Zealand in 2015, bringing together WPP’s four media agencies in the region and tapping into the global GroupM network to bring cutting edge innovations and technology capabilities to their clients.

GroupM Australia & New Zealand CEO Mark Lollback says: “New Zealand is an important market in the region and Chris is an outstanding media executive and leader. After handling the dual role looking after operations for GroupM in New Zealand as well as running Wavemaker for the past two years, it is a natural transition to appoint him as CEO.”

Riley has 26 years advertising, communications and digital experience working in full service and specialist advertising and media agencies in New Zealand and in the UK.

His past roles include chief operating officer at DDB New Zealand, managing director of  OMD New Zealand, and head of digital at MediaCom (London). 

Riley’s appointment completes a new leadership team at group level to support the leadership of the individual agencies and accelerate growth.

In February GroupM appointed Ben Dufty as group talent director, replacing Irena Perry who was promoted to lead HR & talent for WPP AUNZ in New Zealand. Dufty was formerly global head of people & culture at Allpress Espresso and has previously held senior HR & people roles at TVNZ and FCB. Steve Tindall also joined GroupM New Zealand in November as a chief investment officer. 

GroupM is part of WPP AUNZ, Australasia’s leading creative transformation company.  

    

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GroupM New Zealand names new CEO
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