WPP AUNZ specialist sports entertainment and sponsorship agency Prism has continued its expansion in Australia, appointing Shannan Quinn as its new managing director.
Quinn returns to WPP following a stint with out of home company QMS Media, where he was sports sales director. Prior to this, he had worked for now-defunct sports start-up 20four and with WPP-owned media agency Mindshare.
He is tasked with driving the day-to-day management and leadership of the business, as well as supporting further growth of its client roster.
Joining Quinn on Prism's senior team is Brodie Watson, who also starts this month as group services director, bringing broad experience across sports sponsorship and activation.
Watson had previously been with Thread Communications where he had held the role of sponsorship and partnerships director, while also working with other sporting businesses such as Qantas Golf, the Sydney Swans and Octagon.
WPP AUNZ interim CEO John Steedman says the expansion of the business would bring greater focus on sharing its capabilities among agencies within WPP AUNZ, and in particular, GroupM.
As a result, he says Prism will be providing specialist counsel to select parts of the GroupM business while tapping into its "global expertise and connections".
Both Quinn and Watson will work closely with Prism's established team as the agency aims to develop stronger relationships within WPP AUNZ and its clients.
“Shannan has a deep understanding of the sponsorship landscape, is a strategic thinker and is well connected in the sports and entertainment world," Prism AUNZ chairman Justin Ricketts says.
"Combined with Brodie’s brand expertise and strong client management skills, the PRISM team now boasts some of the country’s best sport and entertainment talent."
WPP is not the only agency group to be making a push in the specialised sports and entertainment sector.
Earlier this year, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment was appointed as the official creative communications agency for the Australian Olympic Committee’s Tokyo 2020 campaign, deepening their relationship with the major sporting body.
Havas' Sports & Entertainment agency also expanded its work with the AFL and major insurer IAG, securing a new sponsorship contract for both its CGU and NRMA brands, following a competitive pitch.
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