Strategic appointments at Jupiter

The Jupiter Drawing Room (Johannesburg)'s three new executive committee members.

Jupiter (Jhb) CEO Renee Silverstone explains: “Times are tough; investing in the future of our clients by adding greater value is the only way to ensure both our clients and the agency continue to grow into the foreseeable future. This is no time for cutting back. In hard times, you have to be bold, continuously adding value to your products and services to increase your attraction for customers.”

Jupiter (Jhb) MD Alison Deeb adds: “Studies have shown that periods of recession can actually be good opportunities to gain competitive advantage by stealing share of voice, but agencies have to work in closer relationships with clients during these times and offer even more support.”

King's position is reported to be afirst in the advertising industry. Her focus is on developing skills and recognising talent and she will be mentoring and coaching employees throughout the organisation. “My vision is to help people maximise and leverage their full potential. Coaching is an important support structure and by tailoring and personalising support to the managers and the individuals within the teams, coaching becomes an important tool to help improve both the individual and the business,” she says.

Media and channel planning

The appointment of Sharma brings media and channel planning back into the agency, who says, “With a range of new technologies available and increased specialisation, the industry is more complicated than 10 years ago. Traditional ‘above-the-line' media are still the most used and powerful, but currently there is also a span of content with a host of digital (and soon-to-be digital) options.

“As a media strategist I have always worked closely with the creative department, I see the two as inseparable. I want to move beyond traditional planning and create a complete brand journey by moving media upstream in the planning process and continuing to work with the creative department for more innovative ideas."

Neuhaus will be streamlining efficiencies and ensuring uninterrupted quality in production processes across the agency, given is vast number of retail and high volume turnover clients.

In addition to the new exco members, Jupiter (Jhb) has strengthened its digital offering with the apppointment of Matthew Barnes to lead the division. The agency focuses on delivering key digital strategy to clients as part of the initial strat planning.

The design department will also get a boost with the appointment of new head of design Celina Guimaraes, whose extensive design experience is set to grow the creative product emerging from this department.

According to Silverstone, maintaining brand recognition should be considered an ongoing business investment: “Cutting back during a down-turn is like throwing away your investment. Maintenance today costs much less than rebuilding tomorrow.”