FutureBrand Australia CEO Rich Curtis has today announced the appointment of Stephen Barber [feature image] to the newly-created role of Brand Experience Director.
Stephen will be responsible for leading and growing FutureBrand’s brand experience capability for customers and employees, strengthening the connection between brand purpose and everyday experience to give brands a measurable competitive advantage.
Stephen’s appointment is the first since FutureBrand Australia became an independent agency in July 2020.
On the appointment, Curtis said: “Brand experience is what makes brands work in practice by investing in the moments that matter to customers and employees. Stephen’s role is to connect the insights that often exist in different parts of an organisation to create and deliver connected experiences that help businesses grow.”
“We’ve been working with Stephen on several client projects since the start of the year and his contribution has shown how valuable this capability is to our clients and their growth.”
Barber has more than 20 years’ brand experience, including Customer Experience leadership roles at PwC and Interbrand globally, as well as Director of Digital Strategy for FutureBrand London, which is where he and Rich first worked together.
On his new role, Barber said: “Joining FutureBrand Australia makes perfect sense for me right now. Following the acquisition, the company has the best of both worlds: local, specialist expertise combined with the relationships and resources of FutureBrand globally, which I know well. Plus, because I’ve been working with Rich and his team on some key projects this year, I know the results we’re getting for clients and I’m excited about how we can embed these processes into our overall brand transformation offer to all our clients.”
Since acquiring FutureBrand Australia from Interpublic Group in July, Curtis’s immediate priorities have been to increase the company’s commitment to the Australian market by investing locally, while ensuring clients also benefit from his team’s collaboration with Futurebrand’s global network and resources.
Stephen’s appointment is effective immediately.
