Penny Shell has joined Zenith Australia in the newly-created role of chief strategy and product officer after a stint consulting with the Publicis Group agency.
In the role, she will oversee strategy, planning, and product capabilities core to the ‘Imagination’ pillar of Zenith Australia’s proposition of ‘investment, imagination, and insight’.
“We are delighted to have Penny come on board to lead our product and strategy offering locally,” Jason Tonelli, CEO of Zenith Australia, said.
“As an internationally award-winning strategist with more than 20 years’ experience in media and strategy roles, Penny is the ideal person to further elevate the Imagination tenet of our business to uncover new opportunities for competitive advantage for our clients.”
Shell will also focus on identifying and building best-in-class media and communications solutions that drive growth and deliver strong brand and business outcomes for Zenith’s clients.
She will be based in Zenith’s Melbourne office, and co-national heads of strategy and planning, Sarah Heitkamp and Simon Schoen, will report to her.
Shell said of her appointment: “After spending the last four months consulting with the team at Zenith Australia, I couldn’t pass up the chance to be a permanent member of the agency in creating true innovative products and building exciting solutions to close industry gaps.
“It’s a privilege to join Zenith Australia at a time of such momentum and growth and I look forward to working with our incredible strategy, digital, planning and commerce leads to realise media’s potential to deliver new ROI for our clients.”
Shell has been working as an independent consultant on strategy, product, brand and media for the past six months at her own company, Shell Media.
Prior to her consultant role, she was chief product officer and Melbourne head of product and national head of planning at OMD Australia.
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Top image: Penny Shell