Clemenger BBDO has announced the promotions of Jacqueline Witts as chief strategy officer and Paul Rees-Jones to the newly-created role of chief brand officer, covering both the Sydney and Melbourne offices.
Witts brings more than two decades of knowledge and expertise in strategy and planning to the chief strategy officer role. She was previously the head of planning for Clemenger BBDO Melbourne and has diverse category expertise in retail, financial services, automotive and FMCG.
Witts also remains committed to developing the next generation of talent for Clemenger BBDO and the industry at large, having lectured for the ACA in strategic planning and serving as president of Youngbloods Australia.
Witts previously led strategy and planning functions across several agencies, including AJF Partnership, TBWA Australia and JWT Melbourne, before joining Clemenger Group in 2020.
As chief strategy officer, Witts will be responsible for utilising creativity to help clients identify new opportunities, drive growth, solve complex business problems and build enduring value.
Clemenger Group CEO Les Timar said of the appointment: “Jacqueline is a highly engaged and well-regarded strategist who embodies the creative and innovative ethos that we strive to instil in our people and in the work we do for our clients. Our creativity cannot thrive without best-in-class strategy and planning. It is the foundation stone of our best work.”
“With this promotion, we are thrilled to acknowledge Jacqueline’s industry-leading expertise, which has been an essential component to the evolution and success of Clemenger BBDO in recent years.”
Meanwhile, Paul Rees-Jones steps into the new role of chief brand officer from executive planning director at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, having driven strategic leadership for over a decade.
In addition to his existing client responsibilities, Rees-Jones will partner with senior client executives developing organisational purpose, brand platform and identity, EVP, CVP, social impact and brand architecture, and leading Clemenger BBDO’s proprietary AustraliaNOW cultural research.
Timar said of Rees-Jones: “Paul has been instrumental in Clemenger BBDO’s most iconic, creative and effective work, both here in Australia and globally.
“He will focus on aligning internal organisational cultures with our external system of brand experiences to create new and enduring value for our clients, which is critical to our future success.”
Witts and Rees-Jones will work closely with Clemenger BBDO’s executive, creative and planning teams in Melbourne and Sydney to ensure a seamless transition into these new national roles.
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Top image: Jacqueline Witts and Paul Rees-Jones