Stathacopoulos leaves proximity#ttp

Brendan Wade, previously head of strategy and business director at Leo Burnett, will assume the role of managing partner at proximity#ttp at the end of November 2008 after an intensive two-month handover. Wade's appointment follows the decision of founding partner Nici Stathacopoulos to relocate to Cape Town and make a career change to the client side of the business.

Stathacopoulus launched the company as The Tipping Point six years ago, and then created proximity#ttp as a joint venture with global Net#work BBDO and Proximity Worldwide.

Wade has over 10 years' experience in the industry, having capitalised on a combination of talent and ambition to become head of one of the country's leading new age agencies at only 30 years old. He lends his strategic focus to the already strong creative team at proximity#ttp, headed up by one of the industry's most awarded creatives, Stuart Stobbs.

Year of awards and accolades

Having nurtured proximity#ttp through almost three years of spectacular growth, and most recently through a year of awards and accolades, Stathacopoulos has made the decision that she describes as "difficult" to do - hand over her creation and a "semi-gration" down to Cape Town.

"I am satisfied that I am leaving proximity#ttp with a solid foundation for continued success," she says. "The company has evolved with the enormous opportunities of changing technology and has attracted a blue-chip client base, exceptionally talented staff, and it's time for some new blood to take it to the next level."

Wade is delighted to be taking up the reins at proximity#ttp, and even turned down an international prospect in favour of this offer. "It's a fantastic opportunity to take on management of a dynamic, young company at this stage of its development," he says. "This means that I can focus on building additional strategic depth to the Proximity offering."

"We're very sad to see Nici go, but in the dynamic creative industry, we thrive on change, and are looking forward to seeing how Brendan is going to carry the company forward," says Stobbs. "I am sure that our strong creative resources will be enhanced by a new and energetic strategic thinker, and I'm looking forward to working closely with Brendan to deliver the kind of work that proximity#ttp has become famous for in innovative and exciting ways."

Great faith

Management at holding company BBDO has great faith in Wade's ability to take proximity#ttp forward.

"It was with great regret that we accepted Nici's decision, and we know she is going to make a great success as a client," says BBDO Group CEO Keith Shipley. "We are confident that Brendan is the ideal candidate to build on Nici's success, especially in regards to the new media opportunities. With a world-class team receiving ongoing accolades for work carried out in the past year, we feel that the company is well-poised for Brendan's new leadership."