PHD Worldwide elevates Mark Holden to Global Strategy Director

GLOBAL – LONDON, UK, DECEMBER 6, 2010 – PHD Worldwide has promoted PHD Australia Managing Partner Mark Holden to global strategy director effective January 2011.

 

In his new role, Holden will be responsible for driving the growing network’s strategic planning capabilities across all regions. He will report to worldwide CEO Mike Cooper.  

 

"Our history as the world’s first strategic planning media agency has seen us attract some of the best talent, and in Mark we have the perfect person to drive thought provoking opinion and pioneering thinking at a global level, as the network continues to grow," said Cooper.

 

Holden’s global remit will see him remain involved with PHD Australia across key clients. Recently appointed managing director Toby Hack will replace Holden, taking on responsibility for new business development and agency growth.  

 

"Mark has made a fantastic contribution towards establishing PHD in Australia – namely helping bring in an incredible team of very talented people across different disciplines.  Although we will all miss Mark, PHD is well and truly established – we now have a company that can genuinely and consistently deliver on the PHD vision of finding a better way," said Barry O’Brien, CEO of PHD Australia.

 

"I am very satisfied with what we have established here in Australia.  The culture, people and the systems are of a very high standard.  And with Toby Hack joining the team the future looks very bright. It is a complete privilege to help steer this amazing company and this amazing group of minds," said Holden.

 

Holden, named ‘Asia-Pacific Media Planner of the Year’ by Campaign Asia magazine, moved to Australia in 2007 to set up a PHD Australia.  He led the decision to purchase TOTAL Advertising Pty Ltd in 2008 and has been the driving force behind overhauling the company and turning it into an authentic PHD operation.  

His contribution has seen PHD Australia win 16 new clients in the past 12 months including PepsiCo, Guthy Renker, National Australia Bank and Google – making PHD Australia the fastest growing media agency in 2010.  It has also led to several awards in the past two years.

 

Holden has also recently co-authored two books called ‘2014 – PHD on the Future of the Media Agency’ and ‘Fluid – Harnessing the Rising Speed of Influence’ with all profits going to UNICEF.

 

Holden joined PHD Group in 2001 to run the strategic agency Rocket and was appointed to executive planning director after overhauling the company. He was part of the team that reinvented PHD, creating the brand positioning and a series of innovative tools that have been rolled out across PHD globally.