Sydney, Australia – Data analytics and brand consulting company Kantar in Australia and New Zealand has recently appointed Jon Foged to the newly-created position of managing director for Kantar ANZ’s Insights division.
Prior to his new role, Foged had a 17-year tenure with Kantar and is renowned for his strategic, commercial, and people-focused leadership across APAC. He has been CEO of the company’s Insights division in Australia since 2018 and was previously chief strategic and business development officer for the APAC region and CEO for Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. He has also held managing director roles for Kantar in Singapore and Malaysia.
Wayne Levings, APAC president for Kantar’s insights division, said the newly-created managing director position is the company’s culmination of a multi-year transformation of its presence in the region.
“Kantar is at the intersection of brand building and technology, enabling our clients to deliver growth in a fast-changing environment. Jon and his leadership teams have a clear history of building strong performing businesses across APAC. He has a core mantra focused on our people, our culture and our clients and we are looking forward to his leadership to continue the growth of our businesses in Australia and New Zealand,” Levings stated.
Foged’s new position comes after former CEO of Kantar New Zealand Jason Shoebridge sets to leave the business in April, after more than a decade with Kantar and its predecessors.
“I am really excited about working with our New Zealand team and extending the outstanding legacy of Jason [Shoebridge]. I would like to personally thank Jason for his leadership and the role model behaviors he has demonstrated over his many years at Kantar. He has always been a strong and vocal supporter of the New Zealand business and as an outcome, Kantar has the market leadership position and reputation,” Foged commented.
Meanwhile, speaking on his departure, Jason Shoebridge commented that Kantar New Zealand is in good hands with Jon, a fellow New Zealander.
“I leave Kantar in a good heart. I believe the people at Kantar are among some of the best in the business and are incredibly adept at providing our valued clients with quality insights to drive growth and success,” Shoebridge stated.
