Nicola Bell appointed CEO of Saatchi’s

As hinted on the CB Blog on Friday, New Zealand-born international advertising executive Nicola Bell has been appointed CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand, succeeding outgoing CEO Andrew Stone, who left on Friday.

She joins the agency after 10 years with Ogilvy New York and 8 years at Ogilvy Sydney. In New York Bell was Worldwide Managing Director on the Kodak, Motorola and Avon accounts. She was the youngest member appointed to the Ogilvy NY Management Board, and the only account leader invited to participate in Ogilvy’s Global Creative Council.

Ian Rowden, chairman and CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Asia Pacific,says he is delighted to announce a person of such calibre to lead theNew Zealand agency: “In Nicola we have a leader who brings a vastglobal perspective, an impressive track record of client partnershipwith some of the world’s best known brands, extensive experience inbrand transformation and integrated communications, and a passionateeye for game-changing creativity.”

Bell was born in Aucklandand moved with her family to Australia when she was 10.  Her earlycareer with Ogilvy in Sydney saw her work on diverse businesses such asUnilever’s Dove, Bushells, Lipton Tea and Raguletto, as well asAmerican Express, World Wildlife Fund, Xerox, Philips and theAustralian Government’s Child Immunisation and Young Driverscampaigns.  She was transferred to Ogilvy New York in 1999 to run Dovein North America.

During her 6 years at the helm of the Kodakaccount in New York she navigated the brand through its enterprise-widedigital transformation, leading a cross-discipline team spanning over30 countries, comprising advertising, digital, retail, media strategy,planning and buying, production and implementation.

Of herappointment, Bell says: “I am thrilled to be joining Saatchi &Saatchi New Zealand.  The agency is exceptionally creative and has aproven track record for creating big, compelling brand ideas. I havelong admired the agency’s unique ability to articulate a contemporaryspirit of ‘New Zealandness’ for its national brands. This level ofinsight and understanding is world class and indicates an ability tocreate ideas that are compelling and relevant.”

“There is nodoubt this is an exciting and challenging time in our business.  Theera of participation advertising has empowered consumers, and giventhem a significant voice. In this intimate but fragmented media age, wemust enable and drive even higher levels of engagement. The challengeis to always drive that engagement through a big brand idea, not simplyproliferate new channel options for the sake of it.

Her formeremployer in New York, John Seifert, Chairman North America, Ogilvy,says: “Nicola is adored in the creative ranks for her deepunderstanding of, and sensitivity to, the creative process.  Sheoperates seamlessly across disciplines, and knows how to build teamswith a multiplicity of specialist skills to meet the strategicmarketing and communication needs of her clients.”

Bell, herhusband and their 3 year old twins will relocate from New York toAuckland in February. Her first official day in the role will beFebruary 22nd.