OLIVER Hires Simone Forster to Lead U-Studio’s Global In-House Team

OLIVER, the only company to exclusively design, build and run in-house agencies and ecosystems for brands – has hired Simone Forster as global managing director for U-Studio, Unilever’s dedicated in-house agency.

Forster joins from Wunderman Thompson and formerly JWT, where she led several of the company’s global client partnerships and later held post as chief growth officer, overseeing the integration of the two agencies during their recent merger.

Reporting to Richard Stainer, CEO global clients, Forster will lead Unilever’s 21 U-Studios around the world alongside Shannon Kalkstein, Unilever’s U-Studio global editor-in-chief. Kalkstein said: “I am thrilled to have Simone join our U-Studio team, and looking forward to partnering with her to further build upon U-Studio’s capabilities and success.”

Stainer added: “I am delighted to have Simone join us to lead our brilliant U-Studio team at this exciting – and of course, challenging – time for our clients and their brands. Simone’s record in leading global accounts speaks for itself, but it is her passion for both her clients’ business and her people’s wellbeing that truly shines through. She shares our human values, our dedication to effectiveness and our unwavering commitment to inclusion, equity and diversity. I am proud to welcome her to the U-Studio and OLIVER family and look forward to her success in this hugely important role.”

Forster, who has been responsible for the growth of many international businesses over the years, driving creative success for them at Cannes Lions Festival as well as with the IPA Effectiveness Awards, said: “I’ve watched OLIVER’s success from afar and, after meeting the team, affirm that this is where I need to be. U-Studio has been truly revolutionary in pioneering a new model for the industry. It’s proven that in-house teams can be full-service, can be creative and can be totally effective when it comes to making work that matters to customers. I look forward to meeting everyone at the studio in the coming months.”

Since launching in 2016, U-Studio has grown to 21 locations across 18 countries under the leadership of Alison Katter – OLIVER’s former global managing director for U-Studio, who moves to a new global managing director role for multiple major clients.

Stainer adds: “After playing such a fundamental role growing U-Studio to the global operation it is today, it’s with immense gratitude and pleasure that we welcome Alison to a newly-created, and critical role, from where she’ll lead our continued development of bespoke systems and solutions for brands.”

Both Simone and Alison’s roles start with immediate effect.