Mike Nussey leaves Mindshare

MindShare CEO Mike Nussey is leaving the company after 15 years working for Ogilvy group and WPP companies. Nussey said he was considering a number of ideas, but would only make a decision after a break from the day-to-day business of running a major media agency.

Nussey was appointed MindShare CEO in April 2001 and said managing the integration of the three culturally different organisations which made up MindShare - Ogilvy & Mather's media department, Opt!mum and JWT's media department - ranked as among his most satisfying achievements. Prior to joining Ogilvy & Mather in 1991, he had been at McCann-Erickson for 10 years.

"I want to recharge my batteries and take a fresh look at things. The media industry is just beginning to think more deeply about the fundamental changes it is experiencing. I believe there are new opportunities opening up that need to be explored from the ground up."

Ogilvy SA CEO Nunu Ntshingila said Nussey had helped MindShare grow into one of South Africa's top three specialist media agencies and would leave it well positioned to take advantage of new business opportunities. "We thank him for his long service to the Ogilvy group and wish him well with his new plans."

MindShare MD Luisa Belter, Tania Hobbs, Shirley Franz, Nicky de Gouveia and Brenda Wortley will manage the clients and operational issues until a new CEO is appointed.