Dentsu has appointed Shiva Vannavada as President of Data and Technology Solutions. In his new role, Vannavada will concentrate on fostering collaboration across products and platforms, AI innovation, analytics, and throughout Dentsu Global Services (DGS).
Furthermore, Dentsu announced the appointments of Steve Simpson as President of Data, Audiences, and Technology, and Shirli Zelcer as Chief Data and Technology Officer (CDTO), joining Dentsu’s group management team. Zelcer will oversee all client-facing data-driven, analytics, and technology-enabled products and platforms, driving innovation and sustainable growth for clients.
Simpson, joining the global media practice leadership team, will oversee the development of a winning media practice community that ensures continued excellence in client offerings, fostering client growth and transformation. He will lead the strategic planning and delivery of a globally-scaled, data-driven, and technology-enabled audience platform aimed at driving client growth.
With previous roles including Global Chief Product and Technology Officer at Dentsu Solutions, Vannavada’s expanded responsibilities will involve driving collaboration across practices and products, nurturing Dentsu’s AI Connective community, and leading his team in developing tech-enabled solutions and strategies.
Zelcer, bringing over 20 years of experience in analytics, insights, AI, data science, and marketing technologies, was most recently the Global Head of Analytics and Technology at Merkle. In her new role, she will innovate the vision, roadmap, and development of Dentsu’s data and tech strategy across Media, CXM, and Creative practice areas.
Steve Simpson, previously from Publicis, will lead a global team focusing on data management, identity, personalization, media activation, and dynamic creative production. He will partner with Dentsu’s global products and platforms team to integrate and scale the platform across Dentsu’s Global Practices, evolving Dentsu’s global media delivery platform.
“Innovation across data and technology are two of dentsu’s most critical points of differentiation, having led the market for many years in the development, adoption and application of proprietary platforms which give our clients the edge,” said Hiroshi Igarashi, president and global chief executive officer, dentsu. “We are very proud to appoint Shirli, Steve and Shiva into these new strategic roles which bring together our efforts across the organization, honing our capabilities and ensuring that dentsu and our clients remain at the forefront of innovation.”
The leadership of the broader Data and Tech organization at dentsu includes: Head of Product, Matt Seeley Sunil Rao leading Analytics and Peter Rogers leading Data Platforms. DGS will also now report into Zelcer’s Data and Technology structure and in turn, Zelcer will report into Michael Komasinski, chief executive officer, dentsu Americas & global president – data and technology, dentsu.
“During her time at Merkle, Shirli brought together teams from around the world to collaborate on vital programmes, ranging from data infrastructure implementation to advanced media mix modeling, personalization strategies and the development of bespoke AI solutions,” commented Komasinski, CEO, dentsu Americas and global president – data and technology, dentsu. “With her vast experience of successfully partnering with clients, alongside a proven ability to solve business challenges with cutting-edge technology solutions, I’m truly excited to see the impact that Shirli will have in her new expanded global role at dentsu.”
“It is a very exciting prospect to move into this new role at a time when not only is dentsu at a pivotal moment in its history, but data and technology have never evolved at a faster pace,” remarked Zelcer, chief data and technology officer, dentsu. “As a group, we have already made some big moves into AI over the last few years, but I truly see the combination of AI with dentsu proprietary and partner technologies as a major differentiator for our clients. I’m looking forward to broadening the impact I can have across dentsu and working closely with the talented leaders and teams across our tech community.”
Simpson, said: “I am thrilled to join dentsu at this exciting time of transformation and innovation. Data and technology are at the heart of the media industry and the integrated opportunity across Practices at dentsu in vast. I look forward to working with the talented teams throughout dentsu to build a world-class platform that will deliver value and innovation for our clients, helping them achieve their business goals.”
Vannavada commented: “Since I began my journey at dentsu, we have been actively planning our future with AI and I am excited to take on this new expanded remit as we enter into what will undoubtedly be a transformational year for AI and the products and solutions we build using it. At dentsu, we don’t consider AI as a standalone technology, it is part of the fabric of our data, technology and product capabilities, ingrained into every Practice and present in every agency brand. This makes us naturally more collaborative, more integrated and faster to market for our clients and I look forward to working with teams across dentsu to break new ground in what is possible across data and tech for our clients.”
