Simone Blakers to depart Mark, Sydney for managing director role at RAPP Sydney

May 25 2012, 10:17 am | BY Lynchy | 3 Comments

Screen shot 2012-05-25 at 10.17.56 AM.jpgCB Exclusive – Simone Blakers, currently managing director of digital, direct and data agency, Mark, has been appointed managing director of RAPP Sydney.

Says DDB Group Sydney managing director, Chris Brown: “I’m delighted to have found someone of Simone’s calibre coming on board to run RAPP. It’s rare that you find someone with that great mix of leadership skills, relevant CRM and digital expertise, and importantly, the desire to drive brilliant outcomes for clients. RAPP is one of the world’s best CRM brands with strong foundations in place, great people and great clients. Simone’s extensive industry experience and her passion for the sweet spot of technology, data and creativity provides a strong platform to lead the business’ evolution against that ambition.”

Blakers, who has over 18 years experience in the marketing & communications industry, started her career at the Australian Direct Marketing Association and then went on to work in a number of specialist and integrated agencies including Leo Burnett, OgilvyOne and Euro, in Australia and in Europe. Simone’s career highlights to date have included:

  • Launching world first joint venture between MSN and Channel Nine = Ninemsn
  • Launching the world’s first Microsoft Windows Smartphone across EMEA
  • Managing Telstra’s Relationship Marketing activity for three years
  • Leading the Qantas Frequent Flyer relationship through their Woolworths and Optus partnerships
  • Delivering innovative world-first projects for Google

Her experience spans many blue chip clients across the finance, technology, FMCG, airline, loyalty and retail industries including ANZ, American Express, AMP, Google, NineMSN, Microsoft, Nestle, News Limited, Pacific Brands, Purina, Qantas Frequent Flyer and Woolworths Everyday Rewards.

  

Says Blakers: “I am thrilled to be joining RAPP.  When Chris first spoke to me about the opportunity I was really excited. RAPP is a great brand and the ambition to make it a powerhouse in this region was impossible to resist. There is a real opportunity for Australian brands to develop richer, more dynamic one to one relationships with their customers. I’m looking forward to working with RAPP and the wider DDB Group teams and combining my passion for emerging technologies with robust CRM principles to deliver a greater ROI for clients.”