The Interactive Advertising Bureau New Zealand (IAB New Zealand) has officially announced the appointment of Angelina Farry as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Angelina has an impressive career in the New Zealand advertising industry spanning over 20 years, including leadership roles at major network agencies such as DDB Aotearoa, Saatchi & Saatchi, and TBWA\NZ Group. She was formerly the Managing Director of Eleven, a division within the TBWA\NZ Group.
Commenting on the appointment, IAB New Zealand Chair, Stephen Old, expressed his enthusiasm at having Farry lead the organisation, stating, "The IAB New Zealand is in a unique position within the digital advertising industry, connecting our members across the entire value chain, from advertisers, advertising agencies, publishers, research, recruitment, and tech companies. Shaping our industry is important to us, and we're excited to have Angelina join the team with her extensive leadership and communications industry experience."
In her role, she will collaborate closely with the IAB New Zealand Board, which is currently composed of influential names in the digital sector including Chair and Warner Bros Digital Senior Manager, Stephen Old; TVNZ General Manager Digital Commercial, Robert Hutchinson; Craig Whitaker, Head of Platforms at Google; Rhys Heron, Managing Director at Mi9; Gareth Codd, General Manager Digital & Operations at MediaWorks; Carolyn Luey, Chief Digital & Publishing Officer at NZME; Head of Meta, Spencer Bailey; Matt Headland, Managing Director Brand Connections at Stuff; and Craig Delany, MetService General Manager Interactive.
Expressing her optimism regarding her new role, Farry states, "There is some incredible work being done by New Zealanders in the digital space, and globally, innovation is moving at an unprecedented pace. It’s an exciting time to be joining the team, and I'm looking forward to working closely with the Board, the Councils, and The IAB's global network to empower Kiwi businesses to thrive in a digital economy."
As an organisation that plays a key role in the nation's digital growth, IAB New Zealand's membership is strategically poised to foster communication and networking among local businesses. The Bureau's office comments, "We are looking forward to rolling out a comprehensive calendar of activity and events to help our members upskill, connect, and drive their businesses forward."
Tama Sweetman, who formerly filled in as the acting general manager of IAB New Zealand, will officially pass the baton to Farry, who commenced her role on 22 January 2024.