Publicis Media launches group digital team in Brisbane; Starcom and Zenith talent to combine

Publicis Media has announced a new group digital division in Brisbane that will combine the digital teams across the group’s brands of Starcom and Zenith and bring additional expertise to the market.

The team consists of 13 digital and performance specialists from Starcom and Zenith, which will expand to 18 by next year. It will be led by Chris Thomas (far left) as head of digital and Upesh Thapa (far right) as head of performance and analytics.

The Brisbane digital division will work across Publicis Media agencies and clients to develop their digital and performance strategies and help fuel business growth. The Brisbane team will also work closely with Publicis Media’s Data, Technology and Innovation national practice.

Says Matt James, CEO, Publicis Media: “We have developed this unique digital group structure specifically for the Brisbane market where we are experiencing strong client growth from Zenith and Starcom. With increasing digital disruption, clients need a depth of expertise and skills to drive their digital offerings, effectively compete in Australia and globally and achieve business growth. This team will help clients with their digital journey.

“In the Brisbane market, we have heard first hand from our clients that digital disruption is a key tension in their businesses. This innovative, integrated approach will provide clients with support and consultation advice to help them navigate this complex and growing landscape through expertise in digital strategy, planning, negotiations, partnership development, data driven audience buying and measurement through one single touchpoint.”

Says Caleb Watson (third from left), general manager, Starcom Brisbane: “We are actively investing in digital expertise in the market so we can offer our clients the best digital expertise here in Brisbane. This new division will deliver that.”

Says Gabby Stewart (second from left), general manager, Zenith Brisbane: “We have some outstanding digital talent right within our group at Publicis Media, so it made sense to combine those skills to bring clients an additional level of digital thinking and that team will grow in 2018.”

Thomas has been the head of digital at Zenith Brisbane for more than two years, assisting in developing the agency’s digital output and leading client direction in the digital space. He previously worked in the UK with Integral Ad Science as director of platforms and prior to that was with OMD in a variety of roles, most recently as digital investment associate director.

Thapa has been digital performance and analytics director at Zenith for the past year. He brings skills in digital strategy, managing online business growth, innovation, affiliates, measurement, advanced insights, content, conversions, email, search, display, programmatic, video, social, remarketing and online shopping.

Prior to this role Thapa worked on the client side at retailer City Beach Australia as search and analytics manager, and has also worked with OMD Brisbane as search and analytics manager. He has led digital performance for brands including Theme Parks, Michael Hill, Fisher & Paykel, Suncorp, Bank of Queensland, Lite n Easy, Australia Zoo and Griffith University.