Auckland, New Zealand – Omnicom Media (OM) agency, OMD, has announced the appointment of Blair Alexander as CEO of its New Zealand operations, effective 3 March. He will report to Nikki Grafton, CEO of OM New Zealand.
Alexander brings over 20 years of experience in client leadership, agency transformation, and media strategy. Known for his collaborative and client-focused approach, he has previously led FCB Media, UM, and Initiative in New Zealand under IPG ownership.
During his tenure, these agencies achieved record revenue and secured major accounts including Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Chorus, the New Zealand Electoral Commission, and One NZ.
In 2023, Alexander launched Initiative in New Zealand, securing the ASB account within months. FCB Media also became the most awarded media agency in the country under his leadership, winning more than 50 Gold Beacons, including four Best in Show awards and a global WARC Grand Prix for Best Use of Data.
Commenting on the appointment, Nikki Grafton, CEO of OM New Zealand, said, “Securing a leader of Blair’s calibre, with his reputation for trusted client relationships and transformational leadership, was a priority for us. Blair is the ideal choice to bring the full strength of Omnicom’s global capabilities to our OMD clients and partners.”
She added, “His ability to harness technology, global intellectual property, and deep strategic insight — and apply them in ways that is relevant to the New Zealand market — will create significant value for our clients. He is also known for building skilled, loyal teams with a deep understanding of clients’ businesses, which consistently delivers strong commercial outcomes.”
Blair Alexander said, “OMD has been a fierce competitor in New Zealand for several years, with a great long-term track record and exceptional talent. The evolved structure of the team, powered by the collective resources of Omnicom Media, particularly in the AI and tech space, were compelling reasons to lead this team. The ability to unleash this combined capability and create what’s next for our clients has huge potential. Bring it on!”
An announcement regarding Alexander’s successor at McCann, as the FCB Media brand transitions, is expected soon.
