Barbara Bates Takes Reins As Hotwire Group CEO
Barbara Bates has been appointed as Group CEO of the award-winning international technology communications agency, Hotwire.
Barbara was most recently North American CEO of Hotwire following the acquisition of her agency Eastwick, one of the leading integrated communications agencies in Silicon Valley for the past 25 years. Barbara’s experience and connections within the technology ecosystem and beyond will provide Hotwire even greater opportunity to deliver award-winning campaigns for some of the most exciting brands in the world, and fulfil its mission to become the global alternative to the established multinationals.
Barbara will report to Matthew Melhuish, CEO of parent company Enero, and she will oversee Hotwire’s Global Leadership Team comprising Andy West, Adrian Talbot, Alex MacLaverty and Heather Kernahan. Heather will continue to lead Hotwire’s US operations in her role as President, North America.
Barbara said of her appointment: “It’s an honor to lead an agency with the ambition and passion abundant in Hotwire. There is a constant drive for innovation and fresh thinking and it is my goal to lead the charge as we spread our wings even further, opening up new markets, services and opportunities across the world.
“We are totally focussed on delivering an exceptional experience for our clients and our team, challenging the standard agency model, and I can’t wait to show the world what we’re made of.”
Matthew Melhuish added: “Barbara has the experience and skill to nurture the huge appetite and opportunity there is for growth within the business, and she brings a fresh perspective and a background of challenging the norm that will bring out the ‘edge’ in Hotwire.
“We have already seen a number of international successes as a result of the acquisition last year and I am sure this will continue as Barbara works with the existing GLT and our team around the world to take the business to even greater heights.”
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