New Group MD for DDB NZ

MEDIA RELEASE

10 February 2006

DDB NEW ZEALAND GROUP APPOINTS SHARON HENDERSON GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR

Chairman and CEO of DDB New Zealand and Australia, Martin O’Halloran, today announced the appointment of Sharon Henderson as Group Managing Director of DDB New Zealand, following O’Halloran’s recent appointment as chairman of both New Zealand and Australia.

Currently CEO of Aim Proximity New Zealand, Sharon has more than 16 years experience in above and below the line communications agencies. She will be working closely with O’Halloran and the management team in shaping the DDB New Zealand Group’s future direction.

O’Halloran says: “This is a fantastic appointment for DDB New Zealand, our staff and our clients. Sharon has the right blend of experience, skills and personality. As well, she has a real understanding of and passion for the integrated model DDB has been pioneering in New Zealand.

“I am personally very excited to be working with someone of Sharon’s calibre as we take the New Zealand group forward,” O’Halloran says.

Henderson, who is also currently chair of the New Zealand Marketing Association, says she is thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the DDB Group, working with Martin, the New Zealand team and its clients.

“What really excites me about the business model of the DDB Group is its ability to integrate each discipline at a highly effective level, and with great creativity. That’s something most marketers now aspire to.

“I believe that convergence of media and the growing ability of consumers to select or opt-out of the communication channels they want to interact with are some of the biggest opportunities and threats in marketing today.

“It seems to me that DDB is perfectly poised to capture this opportunity with its integrated model of specialists in brand, direct, digital, sales promotion, PR and media,” Henderson says.

Henderson’s has an extensive advertising and direct marketing background. She joined Aim Proximity, part of Clemenger BBDO, more than 10 years ago following six years as a writer in the advertising industry. Originally a creative director, she was promoted from managing director of Aim Proximity Auckland to managing director of Aim Proximity Australia’s three offices and, most recently, CEO of Aim Proximity New Zealand. She is also a member of the CAANZ board.

DDB is one of the largest communications companies in New Zealand and is the parent company of DDB Advertising, WRC, Mango Communications, Imagination, OMD, MediaWise and Tribal DDB.

Ends