EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne based agency ZOO Advertising has hired former Telstra group manager Mark Richardson as head of digital and won two new brands.

Richardson, who has just wrapped up six years as Medibank Private’s head of online, also joins the advertising, digital and branding agency as a future partner.

Kelly Addis, ZOO Melbourne’s chief executive, said: “I am personally thrilled we’ve managed to get Mark to join us. I’ve known Mark and worked closely with him for several years during our Boilerroom/ Medibank relationship and he’s up there with the best.”

Following Richardson’s appointment the agency has secured digital strategy and customer experience work with Victorian private health insurer GMHBA and Frank Health Insurance.

Matt Vagg, GMHBA’s executive manager of brand and marketing, said:  “We’ve always kept our brands quite separate, but appointing ZOO to drive the digital strategy and experience for both our brands was an easy decision to make.”

“They demonstrated a complete understanding of our industry and customer insights, and my whole team are already benefiting from the relationship. We’re particularly pleased to welcome Mark and his team to our digital work and our future aspirations.”

Richardson previously worked with Whybin\TBWA in Melbourne, with Addis crediting his new appointment with building the agency’s Tequila brand.