SapientNitro Melbourne has hired Belinda Anderson in the newly-created role of executive business director.
Anderson, who started at SapientNitro yesterday, has joined the agency following four years in Thailand heading the Unilever account at JWT Bangkok and Lowe Worldwide Bangkok.
Previously, Anderson, an Australian, has worked for JWT and Clemenger BBDO in Sydney.
She will have an agency management role, as well as overseeing clients including Fonterra, Mars and CGU.
Sean Hanneberry, MD of Sapient Nitro Melbourne, told B&T Today: “We conducted a global search to fill this position and Belinda was an absolute standout. I’m delighted we were able to convince her to come back home.”
“We wanted to drive a more pro-active culture in the agency. Account service can get bogged down the ‘doing’ rather than getting the head above the water. Belinda will make sure we keep improving in that area.”
Anderson’s arrival follows the hiring of Jill Manester, formerly of The Campaign Palace, as planning director and Mark Staton from FutureBrand as director of branded environment.
However, these hires came following a period of minor turmoil at the agency at the end of last year, with seven people departing. Producers Faye Collay and Horia Triain also recently exited SapientNitro to work on their own projects outside the agency.
Hanneberry insisted that the morale and culture at the agency had remained strong despite the changes, revealing that a further five new hires will soon be made, including the conclusion of a Europe and US-wide search for a new creative director.
“Last year we needed to make some very tough decisions, but these have allowed us to invest in some seriously senior talent, including Belinda, Jill and Mark,” he said.
