Ogilvy Elevates EMEA Leadership with Three Social and Influence Appointments

Left to right: Imogen Coles, head of influence, EMEA; Rachel Porter, head of influence strategy, EMEA and Awie Erasmus, chief strategy officer social, EMEA

​Ogilvy has made three senior leadership appointments in EMEA to further accelerate innovation and excellence across its award-winning social, creator, and influence capabilities. With a formidable network of 650 experts across 30 markets in the region, Ogilvy has demonstrated its ability to deliver culturally relevant and commercially impactful campaigns that drive tangible business outcomes for its clients.

To bolster these capabilities further Imogen Coles has been promoted to head of influence, EMEA; Rachel Porter becomes head of influence strategy, EMEA; and Awie Erasmus will take up an expanded role as chief strategy officer social, EMEA working across The Ogilvy Group.

Together, the trio will work at the intersection of social and influence to deliver social-first brand building at the speed of culture. They will further elevate creative and strategic excellence to achieve powerful brand impact, driving cultural connection and commercial success in this vital, competitive, and exciting marketing arena. Recent research presented at the IPA Effectiveness Conference further underscored the profound ability of influencers and creators to transcend fleeting trends and become a powerful, sustained engine for driving business outcomes and building enduring brand equity.

Imogen and Rachel will continue their UK responsibilities alongside their new EMEA positions. The pair have been central to some of the agency’s milestone new business wins and creative output for fabric of the nation brands such as The Coca-Cola Company, Cadbury’s and First Choice, and their work helped the Ogilvy network win in the most-awarded category at this year’s Global Influencer Marketing Awards for a 7th consecutive year.

Awie has helped establish Ogilvy Social Lab Belgium as a Centre of Excellence for social-first brand building. With nearly 15 years of social strategy experience, he has been instrumental in some of the biggest social wins across EMEA. He has also innovated with the development of Ogilvy’s Social Intelligence offer including the 'Culture Engine' and the 'Community Compass’.

​Nicola Dodd, president of Ogilvy PR, social and influence for EMEA, said, “The lines between social, influence and earned creativity have never felt more connected. Elevating Awie, Imogen and Rachel into these EMEA roles brings together deep craft leadership and commercial focus to help our clients unlock growth in this arena. Their remit will ensure our biggest markets and clients benefit from best‑in‑class, integrated social and influence that build brands."

​Patou Nuytemans, CEO of EMEA for The Ogilvy Group, added, "The strategic elevation of Imogen, Rachel and Awie marks a definitive moment. Ogilvy EMEA is a social and influence powerhouse. We are relentlessly focused on delivering unparalleled impact for our clients. These appointments are a clear testament to our commitment to pioneering the future of connected Social and Influence at the heart of paid, owned, earned and shared creative solutions that keep brands tuned into culture. This formidable trio embodies the deep craft, leadership and commercial foresight essential to building brands at the speed of culture. Their collective expertise will reinforce Ogilvy's position as the undeniable force in social-first brand building across EMEA.”