Beth Freedman named dentsu X CEO

Dentsu Aegis Network has appointed Beth Freedman as chief executive for the UK arm of its global full-service agency, dentsu X.

Freedman will oversee the agency’s operations and the delivery of its promise to provide clients with its unique set of capabilities in media, technology, creativity, and data. The UK arm of dentsu X represents an innovation hub for the agency’s wider global network with more than 200 people and clients such as Toyota, McDonald’s, Hasbro, Netflix and The New York Times.

Freedman moves into the role from fellow Dentsu Aegis Network agency gyro UK, which she joined as managing director in January 2018. During her time at the agency, she worked with UK President Emma Rush and the rest of the management team to ensure the consistent delivery of integrated client services while maintaining gyro’s enviable agency culture.

Freedman boasts more than 20 years’ experience and has held senior roles at renowned agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Arnold and Fallon operating across several disciplines including media planning, client servicing and creative. She will now report into Hamish Nicklin, Executive Director – Media, Dentsu Aegis Network UK & Ireland. 

Hamish Nicklin, Executive Director – Media, Dentsu Aegis Network UK & Ireland said: “dentsu X offers our clients a unique set of capabilities specifically focused on helping them find creative solutions for the digital economy that will help their businesses grow in sustainable way. Beth’s expertise and the way she works perfectly reflects that, and I’m looking forward to seeing her unique blend of skills and experience benefit the agency. She’s an excellent fit for the agency and its ambition to help clients get results fast and grow even in the challenging environment that we all currently face.”

Beth Freedman, CEO, dentsu X said: “The current environment presents great challenges but also great opportunities for businesses that are able to adapt and evolve. dentsu X provides them with a unique proposition to help navigate those challenges and it’s an agency that I’ve admired since its launch last year. I’m looking forward to enabling the amazing talent of its people truly thrive and deliver for our clients.”

Mike Nakamura, Global President, dentsu X said: “I’m extremely delighted to welcome Beth to the dentsu X family, where media meets creative, art meets science, and East meets West. I’m confident her varied experience will not only elevate our unique proposition of ‘Experience Beyond Exposure’ in the UK market but also take it to the next level by delivering ‘beyond media-as-usual’. Under her leadership, we will continue to provide our clients with integrated solutions that help them grow.”

dentsu X was launched in the UK as a new modern marketing agency in June last year after Dentsu Aegis Network’s digital specialists 360i, mobile-first agency Fetch and social experts ICUC were brought together under the dentsu X brand.

An announcement regarding her successor at gyro will be made in due course.