Nikki Grafton has been appointed as the first CEO of Omnicom Media Group (OMG) in New Zealand.
Grafton’s appointment marks the first time that OMG’s New Zealand operations will have executive oversight as a stand-alone market, rather than under a combined ANZ leadership team.
In the role, she will lead ongoing expansion and evolution of OMG’s future-ready business model and ensure OMG’s New Zealand agencies OMD, PHD and Hearts & Science have the talent, tools and technology needed to drive brand growth and tap into the opportunities available in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Grafton will report to OMG APAC CEO Tony Harradine, effective immediately. She will be supported by Nigel Douglas, CEO of OMD New Zealand, and Jane Stanley, CEO of Hearts & Science, ANZ.
During her two decades with PHD New Zealand, Grafton played a key role in establishing PHD’s reputation for building strong client relationships, fueled by innovation and measurable brand growth. Leveraging parent company OMG’s Agency as a platform approach that connects media, content and commerce, PHD significantly outperformed the market as exemplified by the agency’s ‘Dominant’ rating from RECMA, along with being appointed to the Lion NZ business.
Under her leadership, PHD New Zealand has also been a consistent presence on the international, regional and local awards circuits, most recently earning recognition at the 2024 Cannes Lions and Festival of Media Awards APAC for its Skinny Mobile and Foodstuff campaigns. She was also re-elected as a board member of the Commercial Communications Council last year.
Harradine said of Grafton’s appointment: “As one of OMG’s epicentres of growth in Asia Pacific, New Zealand represents a crucial market for our continued progress in the region. A tenacious leader, Nikki understands what makes consumers tick and is adept at translating clients’ ambitions into tangible results.
“The close-knit client relationships she has forged signify brand confidence in OMG’s Agency as a Platform proposition and our talent, making Nikki a key pillar in delivering competitive advantage for our clients and the business in New Zealand.”
Grafton said of her new role: “OMG has a solid bench of innovative thinkers who are passionate about unlocking new possibilities and delivering incredible work for our clients. This is an exciting time for OMG in New Zealand and I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to drive innovation, deepen partnerships and create meaningful impact in the market.”
Abby Parkin and Nikki Grafton
Meanwhile, Abby Parkin has been promoted from managing director of PHD New Zealand to CEO, effective 1 March. She will work closely with Grafton to ensure a smooth transition.
As MD, Parkin delivered market-leading communications solutions for clients while nurturing PHD’s talent. She also worked together with the leadership team to evolve PHD’s products and services to meet the industry’s evolving needs.
As CEO, Parkin’s primary goal is to ensure that PHD New Zealand consistently delivers innovative and future-proofed solutions to drive results for clients and the business.
Top image: Nikki Grafton