Action Plan

AUCKLAND, Thursday: TBWANZ Group has grown its strategy team with three new hires – Josh Taylor-Dadds, Rebekah Gierlinska and Lloyd Thomason.

The agency says the hires are driven by new business growth and the increasing need for diversified agency capabilities across all divisions.

Taylor-Dadds, TBWA’s new strategy director, was previously at VMLY&R London where he ran strategy for key accounts including Tui Holidays, Wendy’s and Viagra. He has extensive experience working on brand, digital and product strategy across retail, fmcg, TV and entertainment, sport, restaurant, healthcare & travel. 

Gierlinska, TBWA’s new channel strategy & brand orchestration specialist, joins from FCB, with previous experience at Starcom and MPG London. She has worked on Toyota NZ and TVNZ and most recently led Westpac strategically at FCB. 

Thomason joins TBWA as a strategist from FCB where he focussed on behavioural change campaigns for government clients. He has previously worked at BC&F Dentsu. 

“Great strategic thinking is in hot demand, yet finding great planning talent has never been harder.”

TBWA head of strategy Matt Kingston said: “Great strategic thinking is in hot demand, yet finding great planning talent has never been harder.

“We’re bloody delighted to welcome such a lovely, talented and genuinely world-class group of people in Rebekah, Josh and Lloyd to our growing team.”

TBWANZ Group ceo Catherine Harris said: “We’re making a range of significant new hires over the coming months due to rapid growth.

“Bolstering our strategy and planning team under Matt has been a priority for CCO Shane Bradnick and I for some time.

“Both Josh and Rebekah bring with them some incredible experience that will greatly benefit our client partners and Lloyd is a brilliant planner and a great example of the future of the industry.”