WPP AUNZ's first Chief Customer Officer to Depart

Sunita Gloster, the first Chief Customer Officer of market research and media buying group WPP AUNZ, is to leave the business 'by mutual decision'.

The group was formed in 2016, following WPP's acquisition of a controlling stake in STW Communications. It then launched a strategy consulting division called WPP AUNZ Consulting, led by former Kantar Vermeer exec Caspar Wright; opened a panel management service called Research Profile; and launched an Analytics division, led by the group's Chief Data Scientist Rob Pardini. Earlier this month, the group rolled out a new product development business called big, promising to create new categories, new markets and new revenue for clients.

Gloster (pictured) joined the agency group at the end of 2018, having previously worked at PwC Australia, where she had served as CMO Advisory Director & Advisory Board Director; before which, she was CEO of AANA (Australian Association of National Advertisers). Earlier, she was CEO Creative Services at Omnilab Media; COO at HMDG, and COO for Europe at M&C Saatchi. She also held senior positions at Lowe and Partners Worldwide and Camelot/The National Lottery, having begun her career at Young & Rubicam Group.

In May last year, the group appointed former BMW Group exec Jens Monsees as CEO and MD, and he has since introduced a three-year 'transformation strategy' in a bid to simplify and scale the business, and return WPP AUNZ to growth. Commenting on the latest news, Monsees said: 'On behalf of everyone at WPP AUNZ, we thank Sunita for her contribution and wish her the very best for the future'.

Web site: www.wppaunz.com .