Hall & Partners Hires for New Brand Invention Unit

Hall & Partners has launched a new specialist consultancy dedicated to brand invention, under its OpenMind brand. Jen Drexler joins as Managing Partner to lead the company, which promises 'a radical new collaborative approach focused on rapid innovation'.

The group already has a joint venture company (with marcoms company Clemenger) called Hall & Partners | OpenMind, based in Australia. Established as long ago as 2009 and online at www.hpopenmind.com.au , this agency has always offered a broader range of consultancy than is available elsewhere in the world, but Hall & Partners aims to change that with the new launch.

Drexler, who is based in New York, was previously an EVP of Insights and Strategy for Now What, an SVP at Insight Strategy Group, and the co-founder of Just Ask a Woman. She is described as 'an expert in gender roles and creating new qualitative techniques'.

Hall & Partners says the new OpenMind will 'compress the endless debate-cycle by connecting decision-makers with creative talent to invent together... taking co-creation to a new level'. According to Global CEO Vanella Jackson, the current business environment is a challenging one in which to identify opportunities for growth. She comments: 'Rapid innovation and experimentation is vital to ensure brands survive and prosper. Jen brings with her a wealth of knowledge and a history of non-traditional approaches to insights and innovation that clients love'.

Hall & Partners is a part of the DAS Group of Companies, which has more than 700 offices in 71 countries, and is itself a division of Omnicom.

Web site: www.hallandpartners.com .