Social@Ogilvy reinvigorates itself with Mike Watkins as new head and Oliver Maisey as ECD

A reinvigorated Social@Ogilvy has been revealed with Mike Watkins (right) heading up the new entity, and Oliver Maisey (left) as executive creative director.

Launched in 2014, Social@Ogilvy has evolved from a strictly social media focus to a diversified, influence-lead specialist communications agency where integrated solutions combine the disciplines of advertising with consumer brand engagement drivers.

Watkins brings with him impressive senior management experience. As well as senior roles at major agencies M&C Saatchi, Meares Taine and Designworks, he was the founder and managing partner at Post Creative, servicing clients like Air New Zealand, Peroni, Goodman Fielder and Red Bull.

Says Watkins: “Influence plays to the market dynamic that buyers trust other buyers, their friends, experts and influential individuals and brands.

“Successful brand behavior must be aligned, relevant and constant regardless of how it’s delivered – this is at the heart of our approach both creatively and from an implementation perspective. Through this, we make brands influential, add customer value, operating excellence and ultimately, positively influence the bottom-line for our clients.”

Maisey’s past positions include ECD roles at McCann Sydney, BBDO Dubai, M&C Saatchi and DraftFCB, and he has spent the last couple of years as CD of Augusto.

Says Maisey: “I’ve spent the last few years outside of the mainstream agency world, and I like it there. This set up, despite the name, is very cool. We’re a smart, light-footed independent with high aspirations, with access to the resources and smarts of Ogilvy whenever we want it. It’s the perfect arrangement.”

The Social@Ogilvy group of strategists, creatives, analysts, and community managers hold a wealth of experience working with some of the world’s biggest brands, with the capabilities to work across a wide spectrum of brands, from small listening projects through to full campaign strategy.

Ogilvy & Mather New Zealand managing director Greg Partington said the evolution of the Social@Ogilvy offering is testament to the shifting priorities of both consumers and brands.

Says Partington: “Social@Ogilvy has always been ahead of the curve in the social media space so the re-engineering of the agency into the influence space is a natural progression in line with what our clients (of all shapes, sizes and categories) are not just expecting but demanding.”