CHE Melbourne relaunches as CHE Proximity - Chris Howatson to become managing partner
Clemenger Group has announced the relaunch of CHE Melbourne as CHE Proximity, an agency that builds on CHE's traditional agency creative strengths with Proximity's credentials as a global digital, direct and CRM agency network.Stepping in as managing partner of CHE Proximity is Chris Howatson (pictured left), currently general manager of Clemenger Proximity Melbourne.
The move follows the decision by CHE's CEO Mark Coad to return to media
in the newly created role of CEO at the PHD Group Australia. Prior to
joining CHE in 2009 Coad was CEO of OMD.
Says Robert Morgan, Clemenger Group executive chairman: "Mark's a fantastic Clemenger person and has done a great job at CHE. But, his heart is really in media and we're pleased he can resume his media agency career within the Clemenger family."
Morgan adds that Howatson's promotion acknowledges the job he's done at Clemenger BBDO and Clemenger Proximity in Melbourne in leading clients including BUPA, Sensis and Australia Post.
"He's young, energetic, bright and hungry and has very strong digital, CRM and data management skills, which we see as absolutely imperative for a new age agency. With Peter Harvie as chairman we have a great management team set up for CHE Proximity."
Howatson, 27, started his career at Clemenger Proximity Brisbane and quickly progressed through the ranks to become an account director. He relocated to Melbourne in 2006, working briefly at George Patterson Y&R before joining Clemenger BBDO Melbourne in 2007. He played a key role on the Yellow Pages 'Hidden Pizza' campaign, which won the Grand Prix at the 2011 Asian Effectiveness Awards and in 2010 was recognised as the Australian and New Zealand account person of the year by Campaign magazine.
CHE Proximity will be positioned as a leader in the digital, direct, CRM, data management and social media fields, according to Morgan.
"This change reflects the changing commercial landscape. Clients are increasingly required to do more with less. There are more places to connect and more competition than ever before. We have to be smarter about how we engineer communications and this is precisely what CHE Proximity will offer."
Furthermore, Martin Griffin has been promoted to managing partner of CHE's 1Mazda Group.
Says Harvie: "In CHE Proximity we now have an agency with leading edge strategic skills and execution capabilities.
"It clearly places the agency on a highly competitive platform - one with unique relevance to clients. In Chris, CHE Proximity has a leader with proven business-growth ability and energy as well as a proven track record in the new digital economy."
Says Robert Morgan, Clemenger Group executive chairman: "Mark's a fantastic Clemenger person and has done a great job at CHE. But, his heart is really in media and we're pleased he can resume his media agency career within the Clemenger family."
Morgan adds that Howatson's promotion acknowledges the job he's done at Clemenger BBDO and Clemenger Proximity in Melbourne in leading clients including BUPA, Sensis and Australia Post.
"He's young, energetic, bright and hungry and has very strong digital, CRM and data management skills, which we see as absolutely imperative for a new age agency. With Peter Harvie as chairman we have a great management team set up for CHE Proximity."
Howatson, 27, started his career at Clemenger Proximity Brisbane and quickly progressed through the ranks to become an account director. He relocated to Melbourne in 2006, working briefly at George Patterson Y&R before joining Clemenger BBDO Melbourne in 2007. He played a key role on the Yellow Pages 'Hidden Pizza' campaign, which won the Grand Prix at the 2011 Asian Effectiveness Awards and in 2010 was recognised as the Australian and New Zealand account person of the year by Campaign magazine.
CHE Proximity will be positioned as a leader in the digital, direct, CRM, data management and social media fields, according to Morgan.
"This change reflects the changing commercial landscape. Clients are increasingly required to do more with less. There are more places to connect and more competition than ever before. We have to be smarter about how we engineer communications and this is precisely what CHE Proximity will offer."
Furthermore, Martin Griffin has been promoted to managing partner of CHE's 1Mazda Group.
Says Harvie: "In CHE Proximity we now have an agency with leading edge strategic skills and execution capabilities.
"It clearly places the agency on a highly competitive platform - one with unique relevance to clients. In Chris, CHE Proximity has a leader with proven business-growth ability and energy as well as a proven track record in the new digital economy."
Congratulations golden balls!
BOOM
AWESOME!!
Congratulations mate. You just need that Rob Morgan guy to get out of the way so you can have his job.
CHE tried to rebrand as Clemenger Harvie almost a year ago as reported on this blog.
http://www.campaignbrief.com/2011/08/che-reverts-to-clemenger-harvi.html
It's a good idea to do some research and don't take their PR release on face value.
Anyway, there's some good people there, way too many creative directors and lots of challenges to overcome.
Good luck.
"We're Clemenger Proximity"
"No we're Clemenger Proximity"
If it's a merger please call it thus!
Nice one Howie! Keep kicking goals.
The Proximity brand has lived in the shadows of BBDO for years. And now it will live in the shadows of CHE...not sure how a traditional retail agency can change over night to make the claim that the addition makes it a leader in the digital, direct, CRM, data management and social media fields. Does management even know what this means?
Nevertheless...ought to sought the men from the boys.
Congratulations Howie