Wunderman Thompson rolls out to New Zealand

WPP is merging its New Zealand agencies to form Wunderman Thompson New Zealand.

The newly formed agency merges J Walter Thompson with Heyday, the Wellington-based digital agency it acquired in 2014.

The merged agency, which will officially launch in late May, will bring together more than 90 people across creative, data and technology.

Luke Pierson, the founder of Heyday, has been appointed as chief executive of the merged agency and has been charged with overseeing the integration of the two teams. He will report into Wunderman Thompson Australia/New Zealand chief executive John Gutteridge.

The former managing director of J Walter Thompson, Simon Lendrum, has decided to resign from the business after nearly nine years to "pursue other opportunities", according to the company.

The move follows the global consolidation of J Walter Thompson and Wunderman in November last year. Markets which did not house both agencies, such as New Zealand, are still being consolidated.

Pierson said the agency will meet the "complex needs" of brands with a "simple, joined-up offer".

“Brands today need creativity more than ever," he said. "In a digital world, they also need to deliver relevant, timely communication that recognises a consumer’s individual relationship with the brand."

Wunderman Thompson New Zealand will be part of WPP AUNZ.