Hall & Partners Hires BBC Vision Insight Head

In the UK, global brand and communications research agency Hall & Partners has appointed former BBC Vision audience insight head Max Gadney as Chief Creative Officer, to lead its innovation, product development and visualisation teams across its 11 global offices.

Most recently, Gadney served as Multi-Platform Commissioning Executive at BBC Vision, using audience insight and understanding, prototyping and evaluating methods to deliver projects.

Prior to this, he was head of the award-winning BBC News Design and Audience Insight Team at BBC News Online, which scooped four BAFTA's, 11 WEBBYs and The Society of News Design President's Award for 2005 election night visualisation. During his time at the corporation, he is also credited with introducing the net promoter quality metric.

Hall & Partners says that Gadney's appointment reflects its mission to find exciting new ways to use and present data.

'Max is experienced and passionate about data design and digital delivery, and will help guide the team to generate new ideas and build on our reputation for new thinking, innovation and creative capabilities,' states Global CEO, Vanella Jackson. 'I believe his expertise, energy and vision will enable us to help our clients build stronger brands through exciting and truly unique ways.'

Gadney's appointment comes in the wake of last week's news that the BBC has axed the role of Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences (MC&A) held by Sharon Baylay, which involved leading 400 staff responsible for marketing, communications, audience research and audience services. Her team has now been integrated into the existing operations division.

Web site: www.hallandpartners.com .