Tag: Vanessa Tout

Australia – Global brand and customer experience agency VMLY&R has announced the promotion of current client service director Vanessa Tout to the role of managing partner. In her new role, Tout will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the Melbourne-based team and will work closely with the client engagement team to deliver best-in-class work for the agency’s existing client partnerships and prospects.

Before joining VMLY&R, Tout has also led teams at Digitas UK, Isobar Australia, and Versa Agency.

Sarah Bailey, managing director of VMLY&R Melbourne & Sydney said that she loved working with Tout for the past 12 months. She also expressed that Tout’s character and experience connected the agency and the people across its global network.

Bailey added, “Her positive impact on our team and client partnerships such as Monash and Ford is evident and I’m really excited about working with Ness to drive further creativity and innovation in 2023 and watch her build on our strong offering in Melbourne.”

Speaking on her new role, Tout said, “I’m excited to be stepping into this new role to support the continued connection and growth of our culture, our team and our client partnerships.”

Tout added, “Since joining VMLY&R I have been so impressed by our team’s passion, talent and commitment to doing truly connected work. This really is the most connected global network I’ve been part of. Our proposition of Creating Connected Brands and the specialist capability we offer to deliver on that – brand experience, customer experience and commerce – is really resonating with our clients. It resulted in some excellent growth across our existing partnerships in 2022, as well as a number of brilliant new business wins.”

Australia – The global digital and conversational agency, Versa, in Australia, has announced two senior appointments, as part of its growing uptake in conversational AI technology across various sectors. 

The new hires are Vanessa Tout, the new global head of client partnerships and growth, and Michael Oso-Hughes, the new design director.

Tout brings with her 15 years of experience in client engagement across the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. She has led strategic digital and commerce programs for brands including GM Holden, T2, and Marks & Spencer, as well as Goodyear Dunlop, among others. Tout has previously worked as the client partner at digital experience firm Isobar, and the client director at marketing and technology company Digitas UK.

In her new role, Tout will be taking responsibility for driving growth across new business and existing client partnerships in key markets, including Australia, the US, and India. By leading the newly formed Growth Team, Vanessa will bring together marketing, new business, and client services experts, providing a holistic experience to clients at every stage of engagement.

Meanwhile, Oso-Hughes joins VERSA with a strong pedigree working on some of the brands including Samsung, Microsoft, and Disney, as well as Unilever, and Cancer Institute of NSW at agencies including Isobar, Soap, and The Monkeys.

In his new role, Oso-Hughes will be leading VERSA’s design offering, from approach and methodology through to voice UX and UI. He will also be adding his expertise to the agency’s team of conversational AI experts shaping the future of conversational design.

Commenting on her appointment, Tout said, “I’m thrilled to join VERSA to drive the next phase of growth in conversational AI, contact center automation, and voice technology at a time when meaningful dialogue between brands and people has never been more important.”

Oso-Hughes also commented, “It’s an honor to join the VERSA team of thinkers, problem solvers, and creators working at the cutting edge of conversational AI globally. I’m already blown away by the caliber of work we’re delivering.”

VERSA CEO, Kath Blackham, shared that they are excited to have two amazing talents of the quality of Tout and Oso-Hughes join them to take on these incredibly important roles. 

“Vanessa is one of the best in the business, with loads of experience leading digital transformation engagements at scale and galvanizing cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional results, while Michael has already made a big impact in a short amount of time, both through his work and his infectious personality and passion for his craft that makes everyone around him better too,” said Blackham.