New chief executive for expanding agency

Advertising agency Colenso BBDO's general manager, Jon Ramage, has been appointed chief executive of Y&R Advertising.

The 38-year-old will take up the new role next month, when current head Ross Goldsack takes over as Y&R executive chairman - focusing on top clients and taking overall responsibility for the business.

Goldsack said the new appointment was the result of growth.

"We have had two very good years with last year's revenue a record for Y&R," he said.

"We have turned around the business. When I came in we were losing both money and clients but now, with a growing client base and increased billings, Y&R is in a great position for growth."

Ramage has a 12-year record with O&M and Colenso BBDO.

He will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Y&R in New Zealand incorporating Y&R Advertising, Mediaedge:cia and Wunderman in Auckland and Wellington.

He will also become a shareholder in, and director of, the New Zealand business which is 30 per cent-owned by local investors with the balance held by US-based Y&R Inc.

The original Y&R was one of the big five Madison Ave ad agencies founded in the US. The Y&R in New Zealand dates from the 1980s.

The business today is the result of a 1999 merger between Young & Rubicam of Auckland and Goldsack Harris of Wellington. It has a staff of 65, 15 of whom are based in Wellington. Clients include Singapore Airlines, Burger King, Foodtown and Woolworths, Star Mart, Liquorland, AMP, Massey University, Vodafone Warriors and Caltex.