David Fox named Ogilvy Australia chief

The new chief executive of Ogilvy Australia is David Fox, the current head of global clients at Geometry, STW announced today.

Fox, who is based in London, replaces Andrew Baxter who joined Publicis in the wake of Joe Pollard's departure last week.

The appointment is a return to Australia and to the Ogilvy team for ‘Foxy’ who moved to London as Ogilvy’s worldwide head of trade marketing in 2005 from Ogilvy & Mather Sydney.

STW CEO Mike Connaghan said: “As Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide Chairman and CEO Miles Young said to me, Foxy was ‘made for this job’, and I’m thrilled we could convince him to come home.”

“I actually lured Foxy to Singleton Ogilvy & Mather back in 1999. Ogilvy saw his talent, and he has done an incredible job for them on big international assignments for the past nine years.

“We have stayed in contact, and it was always my desire to see David back home with STW. It was just a matter of having the right opportunity for him.”

Miles Young, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide Chairman and CEO, described Fox as “a star”.

“He has been a critical part of our growth globally, really gets what clients need and I am thrilled he is returning to Australia to do this important job.”

Connaghan described Fox’s new post as “the biggest and best job in our industry in Australia”.

“Foxy is well known to the Australian business, and he will slot back in with ease. We have a big job to deliver results for clients yet again in 2014, and Ogilvy won’t miss a beat in this regard,” Connaghan added.

Fox steps into the post which was vacated by Baxter last week. The surprise announcement regarding Baxter’s departure after nine years with Ogilvy, including almost three as CEO of Ogilvy Australia, came as Pollard stepped down from Publicis Mojo.

Baxter is now chief executive of Publicis Australia.

The full release announcing Fox’s appointment is below:

“Sydney, 22 January 2014: STW Group today announced the appointment of David Fox as Chief Executive Officer of Ogilvy Australia.

STW CEO Mike Connaghan said: “As Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide Chairman and CEO Miles Young said to me, Foxy was ‘made for this job’, and I’m thrilled we could convince him to come home.

“I actually lured Foxy to Singleton Ogilvy & Mather back in 1999. Ogilvy saw his talent, and he has done an incredible job for them on big international assignments for the past nine years. We have stayed in contact, and it was always my desire to see David back home with STW. It was just a matter of having the right opportunity for him.

“The Ogilvy Australia job is the biggest and best job in our industry in Australia. The business is in great shape. It is growing and continuing to diversify. Foxy joins at a very exciting time for the business.”

Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide Chairman and CEO Miles Young said: “David Fox is a star. He has been a critical part of our growth globally, really gets what clients need and I am thrilled he is returning to Australia to do this important job.”

Fox started his career at Batey Kazoo in Sydney in 1995 working on clients such as Singapore Airlines, Singapore Tourism Board, Audi and CityRail. He moved to Singleton Ogilvy and Mather in 1999, and was appointed Executive Director of the Sydney agency in 2003 where he was responsible for a raft of clients including Hyundai, Nestle and BAT.

In 2005 Fox was transferred to London to work on global clients for OgilvyAction, which then merged with G2 in 2013. Fox is currently Head of Global Clients at Geometry, and also sits on the Geometry worldwide board.

David Fox said: "Australia is one of the most competitive, dynamic and creative markets in the world when it comes to advertising and integrated brand communications. Ogilvy is one of the most respected brands within this industry, and includes the leading specialist capabilities in the market with outstanding digital, social, content, one-to-one, activation, advertising, ethnic, and public relations (via our Ogilvy PR partnership) offerings. It has a leadership team that is reshaping the business and is delivering growth for clients and the agency. I want to be part of that team as we take Ogilvy to the next level of industry leadership.

“Combining these three elements was an opportunity impossible to refuse. After being away for nine years yet keeping a close eye on the industry from afar, I think the challenges are considerable, but so are the opportunities for the right agency with the right people. The Ogilvy Australia client list is the envy of most agencies and I'm very proud to be given the opportunity to lead the Group into the future."

“Foxy is well known to the Australian business, and he will slot back in with ease. We have a big job to deliver results for clients yet again in 2014, and Ogilvy won’t miss a beat in this regard,” Connaghan continued.”