The directors of WPP AUNZ have appointed Jens Monsees as chief executive officer and managing director effective October 1, 2019.
Monsees will join WPP AUNZ from the BMW Group, where he was most recently corporate vice president leading Global Digital Strategy, Corporate Planning and Product Strategy.
Prior to BMW, Monsees held a range of senior executive positions in digital marketing and branding, including: Global CEO, digital marketing at Arvato AG (part of the Bertelsmann Group); branding director for Automotive, Consumer Goods, Food Retail and Health Care at Google Germany and various other marketing and branding roles at Mondelez and Schwarzkopf & Henkel.
Rob Mactier, chairman of WPP AUNZ, said: “The board conducted an extensive global search to identify the best leader for the company. This appointment underlines our new positioning as a leader not only in creative advertising, branding, communications and media, but in technology, data and business transformation. Jens has a strong reputation for building brands and leading change in several industries. He brings rich experience and client-side insights to the role, at a time when the changing needs of our clients are paramount.
“The board also had a strong focus on the right cultural fit. Jens has built strong, diverse teams with a focus on collaborative culture creation. I have no doubt that he will inspire and lead the tremendous talent around him,” he said.
Monsees said: “I’m impressed by the creativity, dedication and drive for performance of the WPP AUNZ team and their clear ambition to be the “go to” partner for clients as we all take on the challenges of a rapidly changing digital world. In this dynamic environment, the potential for WPP AUNZ, as well as for our partners and clients is tremendous. I’m absolutely convinced that together, we will be able to build stronger business models and stimulate growth by harnessing our deep creative and digital expertise,” he said.
“I am looking forward to working with John Steedman and the executive leadership team to keep developing and empowering our talent. I’m excited to build on Mark Read’s global strategy for a new era of creative transformation and to support the translation of that strategy into outcomes that build long-term profitable growth for the company, and for our shareholders.”
“Importantly, I am also looking forward to moving to Sydney with my family. We have spent time in Australia over the years and what strikes me is the openness of the people, the frankness in the conversation and the ambition in business,” Monsees concluded.
Monsees will take over from John Steedman, who stepped in as interim CEO in October 2018. Steedman will continue to lead WPP AUNZ with the executive leadership team until Monsees takes up his position. Steedman will also work closely with Monsees to ensure a smooth handover.
Upon Monsees commencement, Steedman will continue in his role as Executive Director and Chairman, Media Investment Management, WPP AUNZ.