Wavemaker lures PHD chief for top data and tech role

Wavemaker UK is beefing up its senior leadership team with the appointment of PHD executive Irin Rahman as chief data and technology officer.

A highly experienced senior leader, Rahman has over 10 years’ experience working for leading agencies including Publicis and Dentsu International, and in-house at high-profile brands such as Heineken, PhotoBox and Rentokil.

She has been the driving force behind setting impactful data-driven marketing and media strategies and is also adept at leading complex programmes across platforms including direct, digital, out-of-home, integrated and omni-channel.

In her new role, Rahman will lead the agency’s application of WPP and GroupM technology and data products and solutions to its clients, as well as being responsible for commerce and addressable audience strategies, designed to provoke growth for both current and prospective clients.

She will work in close collaboration with teams at GroupM Nexus and Choreograph to co-develop and integrate GroupM’s product and data propositions.

Wavemaker UK chief executive Kelly Parker said: “What sets Irin apart is her desire to do things differently and not just follow the way they’ve been done before. She has the unique ability to simplify what can often feel complicated, seeking out new and innovative approaches to client challenges.

“We are on an incredible technology-driven strategy at GroupM, powered by Choreograph and Nexus. Irin is the perfect no-nonsense, plain-speaking operator that can take the advanced platforms and approaches to our client base. I’m really excited for her to join the team.”

Rahman added: “Aside from the excellent Kelly and her phenomenal senior leadership team, what attracted me to Wavemaker and GroupM is its unique, free-from-complexity approach to data and technology, as well as its ambition to continuously lead in this space.

“Keeping our velocity is vital as we head into a new frontier driven by emerging technology and ever-growing data sets. I’m excited by the opportunity to work with the amazing Wavemaker teams, Choreograph and GroupM Nexus teams, to build on the agency’s current momentum and continue to be a force for growth.”