PHD AUSTRALIA APPOINTS DAVID CLUGSTON AS HEAD OF EFFECTIVENESS
PHD Australia has appointed David Clugston to the newly created role of Head of Effectiveness, tasked with elevating the agency's evidence and measurement capability
The appointment reflects PHD’s enduring commitment to effectiveness, demonstrating the value that media and marketing bring to business outcomes.
Clugston brings close to two decades of experience in marketing analytics, media effectiveness, and measurement science, spanning both agency and in-house brand roles across Asia-Pacific. His background includes senior analytics leadership within the Omnicom network, as well as more recent experience with major brands including Microsoft and Woolworths.
That mix of agency rigour and brand experience is central to why PHD sought him out for the role.
Reporting to Chief Strategy & Effectiveness Officer David Bielenberg, Clugston will build and lead PHD Australia's effectiveness capability across the agency's portfolio of major clients, including Virgin Australia, ANZ Bank and Volkswagen Group. He will work closely with clients’ insights and data leads, as well as Omnicom Media's specialist Marketing Analytics and Consumer Research services.
Beyond the day-to-day, Clugston will play a lead role in further embedding measurement and effectiveness literacy across PHD's Planning and Strategy teams.
Laura Nice, CEO, PHD Australia, commented on the appointment:
“Effectiveness is one of our strategic pillars as an agency as we work towards becoming the most pioneering media and communications business in Australia, and bringing Dave on board is a huge step towards that ambition. I’m really excited to see how he can supercharge the great work we’re already doing within the agency and Omnicom network by acting as a strategic conduit between marketers and measurement specialists.”
David Bielenberg, Chief Strategy & Effectiveness Officer, PHD Australia, added:
“Dave’s appointment is a step change for PHD, which will further elevate our ability to help clients navigate increasingly complex measurement stacks; connect silos across insights, analytics and marketing teams; and ensure that every dollar we invest for our clients is accountable to commercial outcomes.”
David Clugston, Head of Effectiveness, PHD Australia, said:
“Effectiveness is at the heart of everything PHD does – driving growth and building brands. That commitment is particularly exciting because I believe an obsession with effectiveness will ultimately determine which agencies thrive and which fall behind. PHD has also built an exceptional client portfolio, with ambitious brands looking to grow. They’re exactly the kind of clients I want to partner with, and I’m incredibly excited to work with them.”
Clugston's appointment comes as PHD continues to invest in its strategy and effectiveness offering across its rapidly expanding client portfolio, including major wins such as Bunnings Warehouse and OpenAI.
