The Independent Media Agencies New Zealand has convened its inaugural leadership team, appointing five senior figures from across the industry.
IMANZ’s new leadership team will undertake five key workstreams to support the growth and development of the organisation, as well as to work alongside the Board of Directors.
The leadership team and their respective workstreams are as follows:
Natalia Taylor, Founder & Director, Momentum Group
IMANZ Leadership | Innovation & Technology
This group will focus on harnessing new technologies and digital innovations to enhance media
planning, buying, and analytics. They will be tasked with conducting workshops, sharing best
practices, and exploring tech partnerships to keep member agencies at the forefront of
technological advancements.
Courtney Newton, Joint Head of Media, Stanley St
IMANZ Leadership | Training & Development
Responsible for upskilling the workforce within the member agencies, this group will coordinate
training sessions, certification programmes, and continuous professional development
opportunities.
Zane Furtado, GM Technology & Innovation, Acquire
IMANZ Leadership | Regulatory & Compliance
Keeping track of changes in media regulations and advertising standards, this group will inform
member agencies about compliance requirements and advocate for the industry with regulatory
bodies, ensuring that all members operate within legal frameworks.
Bridget Whalley, Client Principal, Together
IMANZ Leadership | Research & Insights
Dedicated to conducting and sharing research on market trends, consumer behaviour, and
effective media strategies, this group will help member agencies stay informed about the
industry landscape. They will produce reports, case studies, and white papers that provide
actionable insights.
Melanie Spencer, Group CEO, Co-founder and Director, Thompson Spencer
IMANZ Leadership Networking and Partnerships
Focused on building relationships within and outside the industry, this group will organise
networking events, foster partnerships with other trade bodies, and explore cross-industry
collaborations that could benefit member agencies.
The Leadership Team will be mentored by independent agency legend and founder of MBM,
Sean McCready, who will share learnings and insights garnered from the coalface.
“I’m incredibly excited about the calibre of leaders we’ve got onboard to help drive the next
generation of indie agencies forward,” says McCready. “At this stage in my career, it gives me a
huge amount of satisfaction to be able to help other agency leaders on their journeys, and I’m
more convinced than ever about the value of an independent offer.”
IMANZ General Manager, Kath Mitchell, echoes McCready’s comments, saying this leadership team is geared to deliver a raft of valuable learning, process, opportunities and development to members.
“What I’m really loving about being on the inside of this tight-knit indie sector is how passionate everyone is about giving back, and creating a rising tide that lifts all boats!”
Discussion about this post