MRM Meteorite has moved swiftly to find a new chief strategy officer to fill Chris Whitson’s boots by recruiting Proximity’s EMEA planning director Darren Burnett to the role.
Last month, Whitson quit the agency to work on “new projects”, sparking a reshuffle of its triumvirate leadership team. Matt Conner was promoted to managing director, sitting alongside chief executive Olly Foot and chairman and chief creative officer Nicky Bullard.
Burnett, who will report to Foot, has been at Proximity since 2012, joining as planning partner before being promoted to joint head of planning nine months later; Burnett has been in his current post since 2015.
He started his career at IMP London in 1994 as database marketing manager. By 2001 Burnett had taken the same role at Rapier, then switched to Elvis as head of planning in 2008. He was eventually appointed planning partner before joining to Proximity five years ago.
MRM//McCann global chief strategy officer Ariana Stolarz said: “Darren possesses a well-honed approach to the craft and I’m excited to see how his experience, expertise and unique vision will help guide our strategic offering in London as we continue to help our clients grow meaningful relationships with people.”
MRM Meteorite client list includes EasyJet, Pernod Ricard and TSB.
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