AFA SNARES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FROM CAANZ

The Advertising Federation of Australia has snared Mark Champion, currently CEO of the Communications Agencies Association of New Zealand (CAANZ) and Chairman of the New Zealand Advertising Standards Authority, as its new Executive Director.
AFA Chair Belinda Rowe announced today that Mr Champion would take over the role from retiring AFA Executive Director, Lesley Brydon, on 3 December.
Commenting on the appointment AFA Chair Belinda Rowe said: “We are delighted that Mark has accepted the role. He has been a leader in the advertising industry in New Zealand. He knows the advertising business and has experience in running a similar industry association, which is exactly the background we were looking for.”
“As CEO of CAANZ, which represents creative, media, direct marketing and digital agencies, Mark has extensive knowledge of the broader communications industry.
“Importantly, his experience as Chairman of the NZ Advertising Standards Authority, regarded internationally as a best-practice self-regulation system, will be particularly relevant as regulations on advertising continue to tighten.”
Champion came to CAANZ four years ago from Air New Zealand where he held the position of Corporate Communications Manager. Before that he held a similar role with Vodafone New Zealand with responsibility for media and government relations as well as internal communications.
His earlier career was as a radio and television journalist where he advanced to become an Executive Producer of television current affairs programs.
Commenting on his appointment Champion said: “The role of Executive Director of the AFA is a huge challenge and a very exciting one. I look forward to the opportunity to deliver industry leadership and value for the membership and to contribute wherever possible to the prosperity of the wider communications sector.”
Initially, it is anticipated that Lesley Brydon will stay on to assist the new Executive Director and AFA Board during the transition.