Columbus elevates Mark Duffy to head of product and partnerships role; launches Columbus Core

Columbus, a Merkle Company has promoted Mark Duffy to national head of product and partnerships, to lead the agency’s newly formed data, product and strategic division, Columbus Core. The team will deliver deep strategic expertise in data, content and social media for clients whilst enhancing the agency’s strong heritage in performance media and SEO.

Duffy has been with Columbus for four years as group business director on some of the agency’s largest clients and more recently as head of performance. 

Says Duffy: “I’m absolutely thrilled to lead the Columbus Core Team. This team will pivot our business further, aligning with Merkle’s unique capabilities, to provide a powerful offering for clients with data and strategy for a deep understanding of our clients’ consumers.”

The agency has also appointed Andrew Molan to national head of data, and Daniel Tobin to national head of experience. Tobin moves into the national role from his time as experience director of NSW & QLD and will lead the agency’s experience and content offering.

Molan, Columbus’ longest standing member of eight years, will be charged with driving the agency’s end-to-end data proposition and leading the national data team to ensure it remains best in class.

Says Rebecca Tos, CEO, Columbus: “Our clients are looking to us to help them navigate the consumer journey, starting with truly understanding their data and the value it can bring. Mark has proven expertise in consulting with clients across all aspects of data, strategy and activation and was a standout candidate when seeking a leader for the Columbus Core. The team is made up of outstanding individuals to further cement our data driven, people based approach. I’m looking forward to working with Mark on elevating and broadening our capability set even further, in alignment with our Merkle vision.”

The strategic arm of Columbus Core delivers deep specialism and strategic expertise across all digital touchpoints. Matt Soulsby and Rachelle Beaven have stepped into national strategy director roles, along with Trent Light who joined from Dentsu X.