Howatson+Company has announced the appointment of Kristie Thistlethwaite as managing partner.
Thistlethwaite brings 15 years of experience to the independent agency. Her career began in London before moving to Sydney and The Works 6 years ago to lead the Optus, News Corp, LG, Aware Super and Goodman Fielder business.
Thistlewaite said of joining Howatson+Company: “I’m thrilled to be working with the brilliant and talented team at Howatson+Co.
“The energy and momentum in the agency right now is like nothing I’ve seen before. Looking forward to partnering with the clients both existing and new.”
Thistlethwaite is one of only two managing partners at Howatson+Company and will be based in Sydney.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Robertson will continue as managing partner after joining the agency in its foundation year and holds the additional responsibility of leading the Melbourne campus of H+Co.
Both Robertson and Thistlethwaite will report to managing director Renee Hyde.
Founder and CEO Chris Howatson said: “We’re been very fortunate to attract such senior business management talent, in Kristie and previously, Bec.
“Kristie perfectly reflects our values, our commitment to our clients and our philosophy of intersectional creativity. I’m really happy she’s here,” he added of Thistlethwaite’s appointment.
The appointment of Thistlewaite is to support a number of new client arrivals which will be announced over the coming month.
Her appointment follows Howatson+Company’s CCO Levi Slavin recent departure announcement after a year with the agency.
After more than two decades in the advertising industry, Slavin revealed he will be joining his family’s start-up, Ironclad Co.
“Over the last few years, I was fortunate enough to bounce from Colenso to Australia’s greatest start-up Howatson+Co. While the job was incredible, and our success inarguable, living away from family became too hard,” he said.
See also: Howatson+Company CCO Levi Slavin announces he is leaving the agency