Official television audience measurement body OzTAM has appointed consultant and former media agency executive Karen Halligan CEO.
She joins from big four accounting group KPMG where she was a partner specialising in marketing, martech and media advisory.
She replaces interim CEO Dorus van den Biezenbos who stepped min when Doug Peiffer departed after more than 12 years.
Halligan’s experience includes working client side at Coca-Cola as media manager and several years working with media agencies, including MD of Zenith, and senior management roles with Mediacom, Slingshot Media and Bohemia Group.
She was also national commercial and operations director at SCA.
OzTAM independent chair Mark Buckman says Halligan's unique combination of experience makes her the perfect choice to lead OzTAM through its next phase.
“Karen has an impeccable reputation and tremendous senior experience across agency, client, media owner and consulting. OzTAM is in the midst of its own transformation which began with the launch of VOZ in May, and the commencement of VOZ Streaming next year," he says.
"Karen brings the perfect blend of skills and experience to lead OzTAM forward with the nation’s most progressive and world-leading measurement system and the only broadcast Total TV single source of truth to assist marketers achieve their business objectives."
Halligan says the opportunity to join a team that is transforming to deliver a globally leading and evolving measurement solution, underpinned by new technology, was just too good to pass up.
“During my time in the industry, and more recently at KPMG, I have been working closely with clients to understand and demonstrate the importance of measuring marketing and the returns derived from these investments," she said.
"The opportunity to leverage the OzTAM data to position marketing as an investment and not just a cost will be at the forefront of my mind as we continue to front into a rapidly evolving media industry.”
Buckman says Dorus van den Biezenbos has done an outstanding job leading OzTAM since taking the reins in July.
"The board thanks Dorus for his significant contribution and is delighted that he will continue as a consultant to OzTAM," he says .
Halligan’s appointment is effective November 27.
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