Bird flies from Saatchi’s Sydney to Naked NZ

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on ferry.JPGNakedhas hired Simon Bird from Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney as one of theirkey personnel in their New Zealand operation. His hiring – effectivemid January – completes the management partnership that will run theAuckland office, and mirrors the successful model Naked has used aroundthe world. The New Zealand leadership reigns will be shared by SimonBird and Matt O’Sullivan.

“Simon joining creates a whole newdynamic, and not just for Naked but the industry in general”, saysO’Sullivan. “As there’s no other media-led offering of this caliber inthe market.  With the amount of change also occurring across theindustry we are certainly right for the times, and we’ll be looking tochallenge the established model”.

Says Bird: “I’m really excited about joining Naked NZ. I’ve watchedthem with interest as they’ve expanded around the globe, clearlythey’ve been very successful everywhere they’ve launched and I’d liketo think NZ will be too. I think the Naked model is a great fit for theNew Zealand market”.

Says Mike Wilson, founding partner of Naked Australia and New Zealand:”Simon’s appointment is a really strong endorsement about how committedwe are to New Zealand.  We have an extremely strong Sydney office tocomplement and provide support, so we’re looking forward to 2010, anddiscussions with significant new clients are well under way.”

Prior to his current role at Saatchi’s Sydney, Bird was acommunications planning director (Carat Auckland), brand planner (MojoMelbourne) and head of media planning (Optimedia Auckland) in NewZealand.

Naked NZ has also appointed Te Roi Dodson from Ogilvy Media as a Commsplanner, who also starts mid January and will be driving trans Tasmanstrategy for Coca-Cola in NZ.