Partners Andrews Aldridge Appoints CSO

Partners Andrews Aldridge is boosting its senior team with the appointment of Andrew Smith to the role of chief strategy officer.

 
Smith will lead the agency’s growing strategy hub with a remit to build a world-class, diverse and future focused team. He will report in to Martin Nieri, chief executive at PAA.

 
Smith joins PAA from Dentsu-owned digital agency Isobar (formerly Glue Isobar) where he oversaw a team of 12 as head of strategy, working on accounts including Nokia, NatWest /RBS, Birds Eye, Auto Trader, Toyota, Scottish Power and Google.

 
Before Isobar, Smith was head of planning at Publicis Dialog. He brings extensive experience in digital and direct, as well as mobile and UX. He has worked across a wide range of sectors during his career, notably FMCG and automotive, financial services, telecoms and charity sectors.

 
Smith’s appointment is part of a senior hiring spree that includes the additions of Polly Jones from Ogilvy One as managing partner earlier in the summer, Wunderman’s Erminia Blackden as strategy director in August, and Natalie Winford as operations director in September.
 

Nieri said: “We now have a full and thriving management team focused on taking PAA to the next level – and in Andrew we are welcoming one of the leading lights in contemporary strategic planning. We are really excited about the impact he will have on our clients’ business as well as the agency as a whole.”
 

Smith added: “I’m completely aligned with PAA’s mission to create provocative ideas that change behaviour, by any media necessary; my passion stems from seeing behaviours change as a result of influencing how consumers interact with brands. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in!”