MBM strengthens leadership team with three key promotions

AUCKLAND, Today: MBM NZ has further strengthened its leadership team, following the appointment of ceo Lee-Ann Morris, who took up her new role in February.

Assuming leadership across both Auckland and Wellington, Morris is now bolstering her leadership line-up, internally promoting Annabelle Wilkinson to managing director (Wellington), Penelope Brown to managing director (Auckland), and Emily Isle to chief digital officer (national).

Sean McCready, Alysha Delany and Matt Bale continue to be actively involved in the business, working alongside the new senior team. 

Lee-Ann Morris said: “Covid has accelerated digital transformation for brands and businesses, and today’s announcement is an acknowledgment of these changes.

“Clients don’t just expect an exceptional media partnership but also business smarts and expertise to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.

“Together with the announcement of Pen, Emily and Annabelle to the leadership table, the clout of the Publicis Groupe network and the local strength of MBM we are ensuring we continue to evolve to suit our clients’ growth needs.

“The new leadership structure recognises and promotes the talent that has driven exponential business growth, positioning MBM for long-term sustained success since joining Publicis Groupe in 2019.

MBM is also currently recruiting for a head of strategy who will join the senior leadership team.  

Sean McCready said: “Matt, Alysha and I are very excited to be working with Lee-Ann and the leadership team. Annabelle, Pen and Emily have already contributed greatly to MBM leadership over the years and this recognition is well deserved.

“MBM is also currently recruiting for a head of strategy who will join the senior leadership team.”

“We are really enjoying the smarts and energy Lee-Ann is already bringing to MBM and our expanded leadership group is really strong.”

The MBM appointments come at a time of strong growth and success for the agency, with recent wins in Auckland and Wellington, including EECA, Meridian, Auckland Council Group, Easy Crypto, Comms Council Media Agency of the Year 2021, two Silvers for Best Use of Data and Effective Channel Integration at the 2021 WARC Awards, Gold for Brand Awareness at Google AUNZ Premier Partner Awards 2021 and winning IAB Digital Agency of the Year for the third year in a row.

About MD Annabelle Wilkinson
Wilkinson has a wealth of agency experience gained from 17 years working as a trusted media partner to corporate and government clients. She started her career in the media team at Clemenger BBDO which became OMD, and has spent the last eight years in a leadership role at MBM, picking up numerous local and global media innovation and effectiveness awards.

About MD Penelope Brown
Brown has 19 years’ experience in the media industry spanning the Australian and New Zealand markets. She joined MBM just over five years ago in the role of client service director before being promoted to GM Auckland and now managing director. Accolades include WARC Awards, Effies, Beacons, Spikes, and she was the inaugural winner of ‘Next’ NZ Woman in Media Award.

About chief digital officer Emily Isle
Emily Isle has 17 years industry experience spanning NZ, US and global export. She has been at MBM for three years. Global accolades include Gold and Silver Cannes Media Lions, WARC Best Use of Data, and Gold and Silver at the Festival of Media.

About MBM
MBM was founded in 2010 by Sean McCready and Matt Bale, and became New Zealand’s largest independent media agency with over 100 staff in its Auckland and Wellington offices. Now part of Publicis Groupe, MBM’s services include strategy, media planning and buying, measurement and analytics consulting, search and SEO, social media management, plus content strategy and production through its Breakout Room division. MBM, New Zealand’s most certified Google Marketing Platform Partner, was named NZ Media Agency of the Year in 2021 (for the third time), IAB’s Digital Agency of the Year three years in a row and RECMA’s fastest growing media agency in 2020.

• www.mbm.net.nz