Tour operator Contiki has appointed former Publicis Australia executive James Ansell as its head of digital products, following a successful secondment with the youth travel brand.
Ansell will lead the evolution of Contiki’s digital product ecosystem, with a focus on developing customer experiences that support growth, innovation and long-term competitive advantage.
The permanent appointment follows Ansell’s secondment from his role as head of digital experience at Publicis Australia (formerly Publicis Worldwide), during which he helped lead Contiki’s website transformation.
Contiki chief customer officer Toni Ambler said Ansell had played a pivotal role in bringing together internal teams, agency partners and the company’s technology roadmap.
“His leadership, product mindset and ability to bring clarity to complex challenges have already had a significant impact, and we’re excited to have him continue that journey with us,” Ambler said.
Ansell brings more than 18 years of experience across digital, account management, strategy and delivery, having worked across London, New York, Sydney and Brisbane.
His career spans advertising, marketing, innovation and digital product businesses across three continents.
Ansell said he was pleased to make the move permanent, having felt part of The Travel Corporation (TTC) family from his first day.
“An ambitious bar has been set for our digital experiences, and my focus now is simple: turn the roadmap into products that give Contiki a real competitive edge,” he said.
“I can’t wait to keep pushing alongside this incredible team.”
