Country Head of NZ Mike Watkins departs JCDecaux

Out of Home media company JCDecaux has announced that Mike Watkins is stepping down as Country Head of New Zealand and will leave the business.

Watkins has been at the helm of the New Zealand team since 2016, which also includes the period prior to JCDecaux’s acquisition of APN in 2018.

“I’ve had an incredible time with APN/JCDecaux and enjoyed my seven years,” says Watkins. “I am incredibly proud of what the team has achieved and I have been very lucky to work along side a superb group of people. The market is still very challenging, and as we looked at how we future proofed the business, changes had to be made. This was the right decision for the business.”

Commenting on Watkin’s departure, Steve O’Connor, CEO of JCDecaux Australia and New Zealand, says: “I would like to thank Mike Watkins for his leadership and valuable contributions to our New Zealand business. He was instrumental in the development of audience measurement system, Calibre, and the inclusion of most industry partners into adopting it, which has been a significant step forward for the industry. We wish Mike all the best.”

A new leadership position will be established to provide backing to the New Zealand team and to position the company for the future. During this transitional phase, Andrew Hines, the Chief Operating Officer of JCDecaux ANZ, will take charge of the New Zealand operations.

“We have great confidence in the local team and their experience. We are well placed to respond to changing media environment and major opportunities in market,” says Hines.

As part of the business changes, three other people have left the team in New Zealand.

On their departures O’Connor added: “I would like to thank them for their contributions. We remain dedicated to our New Zealand operations and delivering excellent service to all our partners and clients.”

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