WWAV Rapp Collins picks Marber to fill new director’s role

WWAV Rapp Collins has appointed its first commercial director with

a brief which encompasses new business, internal communications and

exploring the agency’s strategy in the market.

Kate Marber, who joins this week, has an extensive background above the

line, including six years spent at TBWA, where she started as

new-business director in 1993. She left in 1997 having risen to the

position of European business development director.

Most recently, she was at Smythe Dorward Lambert, an internal

communication management consultancy which also sits within Omnicom’s

Diversified Agency Services group alongside WWAV.

Marber said: ’WWAV has grown enormously and won some impressive

business, all without having a formalised, aggressive new-business

drive. It hasn’t had to, as a large number of clients just walk through

the door because of the agency’s reputation. Now that I’m on board,

we’re saying: ’Market - watch out!’’

Lesley Mair, WWAV’s managing director, said: ’With our client base, we

are increasingly dealing with the top end of organisations.

’Until quite recently, the direct marketing agencies would deal with a

direct marketing manager.

We are now talking to the marketing directors and the managing

directors.

In response to that, we are taking on more and more senior people such

as Kate, whose strategic and marketing skills combined with our direct

marketing expertise will prove a winning combination.’

Marber added: ’Because I can’t say that I have extensive below-the-line

experience, Lesley values me as an agent provocateur. I can look at the

business issues with a different pair of eyes and shake things up a bit.

Effective long-term management of customer relationships is paramount

for business success and WWAV is a leader in the development of

strategies and executions that successfully deliver customised marketing

solutions.’

This article was first published on Campaign