ISBA director of media and advertising Bob Wootton has decided to call it a day after 20 years at the client marketing trade body to pursue his first love, as a guitar axeman.
Having started his career as a TV buyer in 1974, Wootton spent over two decades in media roles at the likes of Lintas and WCRS before taking up his role at ISBA.
While there he has spearheaded public affairs and lobbying on behalf of the group’s client membership, liaising between the EU and the Government, as well as advertising and marketing regulators.
Mike Hughes, ISBA director general, said: “Bob brought his serious skills as a media buyer to the client side of the table, developing those skills as the media landscape transformed. Advertisers and the whole industry have been the beneficiaries of his 20 years in ISBA’s media chair.
“During his time guiding ISBA’s media agenda with our members we have seen some serious achievements on traditional media, and, importantly, refocused advertisers on the issues arising from the fast-changing digital media ecology.
“Advertisers continue to benefit from the epic campaign Bob led at the time a single ITV was formed and CRR was born. Media consolidation remains one of the key considerations advertisers face, alongside the various issues of ad blocking, ad fraud, brand safety, viewability and data ownership in the digital space. Bob’s clear leadership has helped ISBA members navigate an increasingly complex media landscape.
“ISBA members and staff alike will miss his telling leadership and friendship but naturally wish him every success in this next stage of life.”
A guitar player for over 40 years, Wootton plays in three separate bands and now hopes to dedicate more time to his music and once described his dream job as being a guitarist in The Foo Fighters. However, he is not to be confused with his American namesake, Bob who played in Johnny Cash’s backing band, the Tennessee Three.
