Howatson+Co Hires Katharina Wynne As Executive Strategy Director

Australian independent Howatson+Company has appointed Katharina Wynne as executive strategy director, LBB can reveal.

She joins from DDB Sydney, where she spent two years as strategy partner. She started her career at Ogilvy in Jakarta, before relocating to Ogilvy's Sydney office. From there, she spent almost four years as strategy director at TBWA.

She will report to Lilian Sor, Howatson+Co's newly-minted chief strategy officer who will begin in the middle of the year. CHEP Network’s former CSO joined the indie following Dom Hickey's departure, as revealed by LBB, and CHEP’s merger with Clemenger.

“Kat is an inspiring ball of energy, that like Lil, brightens every room she enters," said CEO Chris Howatson.

"Her insights are smart and her understanding of creativity is going to push our work further. We’re very grateful to have her join our team."

Katharina's work has won multiple effectiveness awards across Australia, APAC, and Europe, including a Bronze IPA Award, plus a Silver Lion for the McDonald's campaign reviving the Big Mac, 'The Original Mouthful'.

“I'm so thrilled to be joining such a high-performing and passionate team that's constantly evolving and pushing boundaries," she said of the new role.

"There’s an energy here -- a creative spark and a pace of innovation and thinking -- that is genuinely inspiring. I’m eager to roll up my sleeves, contribute to the bold, ambitious work this agency is known for, and help shape the next chapter of its incredible journey.”

Her hire continues the indie's momentum. In addition to Lilian's appointment, LBB revealed the agency won Myer’s creative and production accounts in January, and late last year, it launched sister business Plus Also Studios, an AI-enabled production company, off the back of winning Endeavour Group.