303 PERTH APPOINTS DERRY SIMPSON AS HEAD OF PLANNING

Former Marketforce planner Derry Simpson has joined 303 as Head of Planning. In addition to being responsible for 303’s Planning offering, Simpson’s role will extend to include overseeing 303’s specialist brand consultancy, UffindellWest.

Simpson has extensive local, national and international experience having been responsible for brand and communication strategy development for Diageo Australia and Fosters Group brands. Simpson launched Stolichnaya Lemon Ruski in Australia, Smirnoff Ice in the UK and more recently led the strategic thinking at Marketforce on accounts like Lotterywest, Tourism WA and City of Perth.

“Derry is a remarkably talented strategic planner,” said 303 managing director, Alan Taylor. “Of course, she has an in-depth knowledge of the Perth market and a depth of experience working with some of Australia’s biggest brands on the East Coast. It is her global experience and ability to harness that for our clients locally that is a unique asset. In my view she is a strategic thinker without equal in this market.”

 “When we first met Derry, we clicked. There is no question that we were impressed with her incisive thinking and it was also clear from the outset that she really would be a great fit with our culture and will be key in delivering on our vision. We are extremely excited Derry is joining us and look forward to her contributing to our clients’ business.”

Simpson said she was looking forward to working at the agency.

“The culture certainly fits with my thinking and I really connect with the way they think and work, and their position of ‘independence’ certainly fits with me. There is no question about 303’s reputation as a very strategically led agency and I am really looking forward to building on that across both the Perth and Sydney offices.”