Dentsu Aegis Network names Jo Sutherland as CEO of Carat UK

Dentsu Aegis Network today announces that Jo Sutherland is to move from her managing director role at mobile-first agency Fetch, to become CEO of Carat UK.

Jo will lead the agency as it continues to drive growth and innovation for its clients and report to Matthew Platts who was recently promoted to CEO of Media Brands, Dentsu Aegis Network UK & Ireland. She replaces Rick Hirst, who is moving on to a new global role within Dentsu Aegis Network. Further details about Rick's new role will be announced in due course to allow Rick to manage a smooth handover of his responsibilities.

Since joining Dentsu Aegis Network in 1999, Jo boasts an impressive track record of senior leadership roles within the group, most recently as managing director at Fetch and previously as chief operating officer at media agency Vizeum.

At Fetch, Jo accelerated the agency's mobile-first vision and doubled revenues over the two years of her tenure. She introduced new digital capabilities to the agency's offering, subsequently attracting significant mobile-centric business from UK advertisers. These included becoming agency of record for The Telegraph Media Group and Yolt (by ING Bank) amongst others.

Stef Calcraft, Executive Chairman, Dentsu Aegis Network UK & Ireland said, “Jo brings a dynamic mobile-first philosophy to the heart of the business. She is a progressive leader with a collaborative style that inspires more innovative ideas and solutions for our clients, our people and our media partners. Jo has played a pivotal role in transforming Fetch into the thriving business that it is today and I look forward to her leading Carat through its next phase of growth. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Rick for his dedication to Carat over the past two years. I am delighted that he remains within the group and wish him all the best in his exciting new role.”

Matthew Platts, CEO of media brands, Dentsu Aegis Network UK&I said, "Jo has been making her mark as part of Dentsu Aegis Network for almost two decades and has a wealth of experience, most recently in mobile. Her appointment to CEO at Carat is testament to her enormous successes at both Fetch and Vizeum, and her innovative approach to tackling our clients' business challenges. We have a long history of nurturing and developing our best talent and I'm delighted to see Jo progress and lead Carat to further success."

Jo Sutherland added, "Carat is continually challenging the media status quo by putting innovation central to its clients' business agendas and by tapping into the diverse capabilities of our entire network. I'm delighted to join the team at this exciting time and lead the business through its next period of growth. "

Jo’s replacement at Fetch is in the final stages and will be announced in due course. In the meantime, the agency remains under the leadership of Fetch’s Executive Team, led by Greg Grimmer, Global COO.

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For further information contact:

Mandy Rayment

Head of Communications, UK

T: 07824 690176

E: mandy.rayment@dentsuaegis.com

Notes to Editors:

About Dentsu Aegis Network

Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of ten global network brands - Carat, Dentsu, dentsu X, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Merkle, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands. Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services. Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 145 countries worldwide with more than 40,000 dedicated specialists. www.dentsuaegisnetwork.com