The Sound Hires Former Optimisa CEO to Lead Expansion

In Canada, former Optimisa CEO Simon Dannatt has joined youth-focused research specialist The Sound as Chief Executive Officer, with a specific remit to help the firm expand into Asia.

Founded in 2007 by Ian Pierpoint and Emma Richmond, The Sound Research has offices in New York, London, Toronto, Vancouver, and Chicago. Last September, the agency reported a 50% increase in sales to $6.4m for the 2010-2011 financial year.

Dannatt joins from Cello, where for the past two years, he served as North American President, during which time, he led the development of the US operations of the group's brand strategy consultancy The Value Engineers.

Earlier in his career, Dannatt was a consultant with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, after which, he joined marketing consultancy kae: marketing intelligence in 1994 and became its MD in 2000. Following a reverse takeover of Optimisa by kae in 2005, he became CEO of the group.

In his new role Dannatt is charged with helping The Sound achieve specific growth targets, while also developing the company's offer to meet the demands of clients in both the US and overseas.

Pierpoint comments: 'Hiring Simon was a huge coup for The Sound, as he will help us with our goals of aggressive growth and our expansion to Asia. His experience and expertise as a CEO will also help to guide us smoothly through this next phase of growth and ensure our continued success.'

Web site: www.thesoundresearch.com .