The professional body for advertising agencies has elected its first head of Birmingham.
The IPA has appointed Andy Wilson, chief executive of WAA! in Sutton Coldfield, to the new role where he will act as spokesman for the city, raising awareness of relevant issues and meeting fellow member agencies in the region, whose feedback will form a programme of activity for 2013.
Mr Wilson will join three other city heads for Bristol, Manchester and Newcastle to strengthen the UK team and help deliver the most value to the IPA’s 250 member agencies.
The new appointments will serve a two-year term and Mr Wilson will be responsible for helping members across the Midlands access IPA services.
Mr Wilson said: “The city has a well-respected, thriving creative community and it’s my intention to help build on this; attracting and retaining talent, working with agencies and clients to share best practice, and ensuring Birmingham continues to be a ‘go-to’ location for national and international brands.”
Mr Wilson founded WAA in 1986 and has led the growth in the agency organically as well as through a series of acquisitions.
He has built an exceptional specialist team and continues to evolve the agency model in the process.
“The aim of the city heads is to create a greater sense of community and mutually beneficial relationships between the IPA and its members outside of London,” Mr Wilson said.
“By bringing together the agencies in Birmingham, my new role will encourage the sharing of best practice, attracting more national and international brands to the region.
“This in turn will help us to attract and retain the best talent within the industry, enabling the positive cycle of new business wins by Birmingham agencies, and growth, to continue.”
Working with the Cranfield School of Management Mr Wilson is also an MBA lecturer and fellow of Warwick Business School.
He is also non-executive director of several new creative businesses.
