After a decade in business, Match Media co-founder-turned Blue 449 COO James Simmons will leave his role at the agency and return to the UK.
In 2007 Simmons co-founded Match Dialogue with John Preston before it merged with Match Integration (launched in 2003) to form Match Media, and so began CEO Preston and Simmons' partnership. Then in June 2015, the Publicis Groupe acquired Match Media which rebranded to Blue 449 in January this year.
Blue 449 CEO Preston says it's been a “brilliant” partnership and while 10 years is a long time to work together, time has “gone in a flash, which is a sure sign that we enjoyed the journey together”.
“We’ve created a textbook success story. On a personal note I want to thank James for his friendship, camaraderie and in-synch approach to how we ran the business. The success of the agency and the management of our people and clients has always been at the heart of everything he does.”
Eyes will now be on Preston and whether he plans to stay with the agency long term, after the earn-out period from the Publicis acquisition.
Starting immediately, Duncan Parfitt, Blue 449's head of performance and analytics who has been with the agency for seven years, will move into the newly created role of managing director of the Sydney office. Simmons will leave his role on 31 January.
Preston, who says Blue 449 sits at the ‘intersection of data and ideas’ which is why Parfitt made such a good fit, says this time frame provides ample time to manage the transition of responsibilities.
Preston will remain in place as the CEO of Blue 449 ensuring the continuity of the agency’s leadership.
Throughout Simmons’ 10-year tenure the agency scooped many media agency awards and in 2015 was globally recognised by Warc 100 in the top 20 best media agencies in the world.
Simmons says leaving Blue 449 is “difficult” as the agency is at the top of its game.
"I feel very thankful to have experienced the last 10 years at Match Media and then later Blue 449. Working in partnership with John has been an amazing journey and one that I am very proud of,” Simmons says.
“However, it is time for a new chapter for my family and me so we have made the decision to return to England to enjoy the weather, but most importantly to be with our families - it feels like the right thing to do now.
“We have an amazing team who are dedicated and passionate about delivering results for our clients. I also want to thank Publicis Media who have been incredible to work with and this has allowed us to keep the brilliant culture and DNA of the agency that will continue to thrive,” James said.
In 2017 the agency won 20th Century Fox, Puma, Pernod Ricard, TAL Insurance, Royal Caribbean Cruises, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Southern Cross Travel Insurance and more.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.