Clemenger Group appoints Chris Pescott to the newly created role of chief intelligence officer

Chris Pescott, founder of intelligence consultancy Perceptive, has been appointed to the newly established role of chief intelligence officer with Clemenger Group New Zealand.

Pescott will lead the Group’s intelligence capability across key clients and agencies in NZ, leveraging Omnicom’s global technology and precision marketing platforms, as well as expanding its local analytics, data science and technology services.

Jim Gall, Clemenger Group CEO, said Pescott’s appointment was a significant moment in the Group’s digital transformation in NZ: “Over the last six months we have made considerable progress in embedding data and intelligence capabilities into each of our agencies across Auckland and Wellington, resulting in more effective business outcomes for clients.

“Having Chris orchestrate and lead this team from a Group perspective will ensure our agencies, and clients, have consistent access to the latest and most valuable platforms, intelligence, resourcing and governance, to deliver world-class connected experiences for our clients’ brands and their customers.

“Chris is a phenomenal talent. He’s a true Kiwi entrepreneur and a Founder in every respect. He cares about his people and culture; results for his clients and is incredibly disciplined in his delivery.”

Commenting on the announcement, Pescott said that he was excited and motivated to help Clemenger Group Agencies harness the power of intelligence to create more valuable brands: “Whilst creativity remains at the heart of everything we do, we recognise that truly connected experiences with brands drive sustainable business growth, which is fundamentally my mission in this role. It’s an exciting challenge.”

Perceptive was founded in 2004 and has become New Zealand’s leading technology-based customer insights agency. The business provides research, insights and data-driven marketing programmes to a variety of organisations across Asia-Pacific, North America, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and India. Perceptive joined the Clemenger Group in 2017.

Pescott will remain executive chairman of Perceptive. Daniel Shaw has been promoted to managing director and Oliver Allen, head of insights has become general manager.

Clemenger Group agencies including Colenso BBDO, 99 and Clemenger BBDO Wellington have enjoyed significant success over the last six months, winning more than $40 million of new business in the first half of 2019 including Farmers, Trade Me, Loyalty NZ and Ford, along with significant government business.