Jessica Allison departs Mango for general manager role at Herd MSL New Zealand

Jessica Allison has been appointed general manager of Herd MSL New Zealand as the agency bolsters its capabilities across consumer and corporate communications.

She joins Herd MSL after returning to New Zealand from Melbourne, where she spent a decade working in senior roles at leading Australian PR agencies, most recently as the general manager of Mango Communications.

Bringing over 17 years of PR and brand communications experience to the role, Allison has worked with a number of high-profile brands across the technology, retail, luxury, FMCG, energy and for-purpose sectors on high-profile campaigns. She has a passion for integrated communications, harnessing the power of creativity to tell impactful stories for brands across multiple channels.

Allison’s remit will be to re-introduce the agency to the local market under the Herd MSL banner – which sees the agency join forces with their Australian counterparts to offer strengthened capabilities across consumer and corporate communications and sustainability.

Says Skye Lambley, CEO, Herd MSL ANZ: “I am excited to work with Jessica to grow Herd MSL’s presence in the New Zealand market. She has proven experience growing agencies and leading teams to deliver innovative communications solutions for clients that result in positive business impact.”

Allison will also work closely with the Publicis Groupe New Zealand Connected Platform of agencies to help develop fully integrated capabilities for their clients.

Says Mark Cochrane, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, and chief connection officer of the Publicis Groupe (New Zealand): “To add a progressive and experienced leader like Jessica to the Herd MSL team is incredibly exciting. It enables the Groupe to enhance our PR, amplification, and corporate communications capabilities, and further unlock our access to the New Zealand media and influencer community.”

Says Allison: “I’m delighted to join Herd MSL as they have an outstanding reputation for creating conversations that drive culture and create change. I look forward to tapping into the deep expertise of the team and harnessing the power of Publicis Groupe’s connected model to bring this dynamism to the New Zealand market.”