Targetbase Claydon Heeley starts search for UK chief
Chris Gordon, the chief executive of both Targetbase International and its UK office Targetbase Claydon Heeley, is looking to bring in a replacement for his UK role so he can focus on developing the agency’s international presence.
The Targetbase network has a presence in the US and the UK, but Gordon says his focus in the short term will be to expand in Western Europe and open up one or two new offices in the next 12 months.
“An acquisition would be more realistic than starting up,” Gordon says. “The goal is to be in six markets outside the US and UK within three years, and Asia has great appeal for us.”
His international plans mean that he will be looking to appoint someone to head the UK agency over the next “six to nine months”.
In July, Claydon Heeley rebranded as Targetbase Claydon Heeley, following its merger with sister Omnicom-owned US-based data agency Targetbase.
Gordon, the former global chairman of Rapp Collins, took on the role of chief executive for the new UK agency after Mike Welsh left to head Craik Jones Watson Mitchell Voelkel, which has since closed down and been absorbed into Proximity.
The aggressive growth plans emerged as Targetbase Claydon Heeley deputy vice-chairman Leo Campbell announced his departure from the agency to start up strategy consultancy business Mason Campbell with former joint chief executive Ed Mason.
