Marketforce Perth snares Holler Sydney account director Simon Cruthers for head of digital role

Marketforce Perth has recruited Simon Cruthers from Holler Sydney to take on the role of Head of Digital. He replaces Nigel Fisher, who left several weeks ago after a falling-out with the agency.

Originally from Perth, Cruthers has spent the past five years in Sydney – most recently at digital specialist agency Holler, where he led the Lion Nathan business, and before that as Executive Producer and Digital Strategist at BMF.

His time with BMF saw him play a key role in the agency, leading the Commonwealth Bank digital team and integrating the digital offering with the business.

Marketforce Director of Client Services, Rick Multari, said Cruthers was an exciting addition to the agency’s leadership team.

“Simon has a great energy and drive for what he does, with over ten years experience in the digital space across a number of disciplines including production and strategy,” he said. “We saw those skills and attributes as a valuable addition to Marketforce and the direction the agency is heading in. We approached Simon as a great fit with Marketforce, and it also happened to coincide well with the fact that he was looking to return home to Perth.”

Multari said Marketforce had made a strategic decision to hire senior people with diverse backgrounds and experience in markets outside of WA, but with a strong personal connection to Perth. He said Cruthers would play a key role in driving the digital strength of the agency, which was an essential part of the business going forward.

“We don’t believe that a departmental or business-within-a-business approach to digital is the way forward. At Marketforce, we see our digital offering as an intrinsic part of the way we think and speak, and as core to everything we do for our clients. We’re looking forward to seeing Simon apply his drive and energy to the business as we move into a new year.”

Cruthers starts with Marketforce before Christmas.