Undertow Media, a member of Bastion Group, has announced the appointment of agency veteran David Sawicki as board member and influencer engagement specialist Katya Farrin Brocks as general manager, NSW.
Sawicki joins Undertow Media as a non-executive board member, guiding the fast growing firm as it evolves, locally and internationally. Well known in agency circles both locally and abroad, Sawicki founded Ogilvy Impact in 1996, assisting in the growth of the international firm as executive chairman, then going on to build STW Group as business director.
Influencer engagement and brand community expert Katya Farrin Brocks joins Undertow Media as general manager, based in Sydney, to further expand on the agency’s expansion into NSW. Farrin Brocks’ was formerly director of marketing communication and creative at Nickelodeon ANZ, and previously in the UK was marketing manager at both Red Bull and Diesel.
Sawicki and Farrin Brocks’ appointments are the latest in a series, demonstrating Undertow Media’s strategy of attracting the best in the business to build a culture that promotes and values innovation and commercial outcomes.
Undertow Media managing director Sarah La Roche said the additions confirm the value the business places on quality talent. “Attracting top tier talent allows us to continue to deliver cutting edge campaigns for our clients, whilst further bolstering our presence in the NSW market.”
As one of Australia’s most respected communications firms, Undertow Media, now 12-years old, in Q1 2015 announced significant client wins spanning the property, health, consumer, utilities, community and automotive industries and in Q2, reported a 120 per cent increase FY15 profit (v FY14). With Undertow Media in its portfolio, alongside sponsorship and activation firm Bastion EBA, Government relations agency Bastion S+GO and reputation and issues management firm, Bastion RM; Bastion Group delivered a 143 per cent growth in FY15.
CEO of Bastion Group, Fergus Watts said: “Bastion Group is about securing the very best talent from around the country for our companies. As a growing, young group of businesses, to have someone of David and Katya’s calibre and experience holds us in great stead to achieve our growth strategy and our ability to continually deliver world-class results for our clients.
“Recruiting the best people who are passionate about what they do is the key to growth. Both David and Katya have substantial knowledge around building world-class brands and agencies. Their guidance and influence will support Bastion’s strategy of expanding and adding value in new markets on a Global scale, under the experienced eye of those who have done it before.”
Undertow Media is likely to make further announcements regarding its people and clients in the coming weeks.
