The Commercial Communications Council welcomes new CEO Simon Lendrum

The Commercial Communications Council (Comms Council), the industry body that represents advertising, public relations, experiential and media agencies, has announced the appointment of Simon Lendrum as its new chief executive.

Lendrum has more than 25 years experience in the industry, having worked at BMP DDB (now Adam & Eve DDB), Ogilvy and J. Walter Thompson in New Zealand, where he was managing director for nine years, leaving in 2019.

Since then Lendrum has worked with Management Consultancy AGLX, focusing on delivering business strategies for a variety of New Zealand organisations.

He is a former President of the Comms Council and has recently acted as Convenor of Judges for both the Effies and Beacon Awards.

Says Lendrum: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with all the team at the Comms Council already and know how great they are. They, and the communications industry as a whole, have been good to me for many years, so this is a great opportunity to return to the business, supporting all our member agencies.

“In leading the Comms Council, I look forward to championing the work the industry does in creating value for New Zealand business through creativity. Along with providing programmes to ensure we continue to attract the best talent and develop that talent throughout their careers.”

Comms Council president Alistair Jamison says the board and team at the Council are excited to have Lendrum’s experience at the table: “As a previous President of the Council and head of an advertising agency, Simon is perfectly placed to lead the organisation and champion the value the communications industry creates in building and sustaining brands. He knows the Comms Council exceptionally well and how it can best support the industry, he understands agencies and clients and brings a wealth of experience to the role. The board are really excited for the next chapter with Simon as the lead.”

Lendrum replaces Paul Head who retired after 10 years as CEO.

He will take up the role in January 2022.