IPA digital chief joins media specialist i-level

Alan McCulloch, chairman of the IPA Digital Marketing Group and until this month managing consultant for interactive TV at Saatchi & Saatchi, is to join online media specialist i-level as managing director.

According to McCulloch, the appointment will leave founding directors Charlie Dobres and Andrew Walmsley, who to date have handled the bulk of day-to-day management duties at the agency, more time to spend on account handling and dealing directly with clients.

“In the ad agency world, many established agencies continue to struggle to integrate their businesses into the new media world,” says McCulloch. “I’m joining because I know the people – Walmsley, Dobres, and Craig Wilkie [fellow founding director] – who are focused and getting the right clients.”

The agency, which counts online bank Smile, Carlton, and Yell among its clients, expects to increase its staff total to 18 by the end of the month.

McCulloch has also acted as a consultant for a Net “incubator” company since leaving Saatchi.