Former Publicis chair joins KPMG customer advisory team
- 25 June, 2018 08:56
Andrew Baxter
It’s been another big recruiting week for consultancy firm, KPMG, which has brought on former Publicis Communications chair and CEO, Andrew Baxter, as senior adviser to its Customer, Brand and Marketing Advisory business (CBMA).
Baxter is one in a string of high-profile industry leaders to join KPMG’s CBMA business since it launched in July 2017. Other partners include former Virgin Australia’s customer chief, Mark Hassell; ex-JWT leader, Carmen Bekker; Acuity Research’s Amanda Hicks; and ex-Google new business division leader, Lisa Bora. Directors meanwhile, include ex-Telstra business-to-business GM, Melanie Evans; ex-One Green Bean chief, Louise Pogmore; ex-Zenith chief, Karen Halligan; and ex-AMR Australia’s Nick Deverson.
In total, the CBMA team has more than 100 people.
Baxter joined Publicis in 2014 and boasts of more than 11 years in professional services. Prior to the Publicis post, which concluded in May, he was CEO of Ogilvy Australia for three years and oversaw a host of iconic campaigns, such as AAMI’s ‘Rhonda and Ketut’ and Coca-Cola’s ‘Share a Coke’ activities. He’s also chair of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Deakin Business School boards and a non-executive director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian Pork.
KPMG CBMA partner-in-charge, Paul Howes, said Baxter will help the division step up its work for forward-thinking Australian organisations. He commences the role later this year and is based out of Sydney.
“He is one of Australia’s most respected brand leaders with over 25 years of pushing the status quo when it comes to helping brands connect with their customers,” Howes commented. “Andrea also brings unparalleled insights into how clients can bring maximum value to the brand and consumer value chain, as well as a compelling lens to help our clients reshape their customer conversations.”
Baxter said he was looking forward to joining the fast-growing team at KPMG.
“The rise of the customer is reshaping how businesses operate, and now more than ever, Australian companies need a ‘whole of organisation’ approach to their marketing and operations,” he said.
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