MDI Names New Chief Exec as Founder Moves to CCO Role

Melbourne-based Mobile Digital Insights CEO and founder James Fergusson is stepping down from his role, to take up the position of Chief Commercial Officer, while continuing as Chair of the company's Board. David Somers, former Head of Africa and COO, replaces Fergusson as CEO.

The company, which was founded in 2013 as Mobile Digital Indaba, offers mobile device data collection and interrogation using a proprietary research platform. The team works from Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, London, Belgium, the USA and Argentina.

Before setting up the company, Fergusson was Global Head TNS Connect, based in Singapore, and responsible for leadership and development of the firm's digital offer. Prior to this he served as MD of the Global Technology Sector, and Global Director Emerging Markets. Somers joined last year in South Africa, after nearly a decade at Ipsos, where he latterly served as CEO Pan-Africa. Earlier he was CEO TNS Research International (RI) East Africa, having begun his career at RI in Belgium.

Fergusson comments: 'My personal strengths lie in entrepreneurship, business building and client support - the very traits that stood me in good stead to drive the startup phase of MDI. It is now time for a new CEO to lead MDI through the next stage of our growth, and I'm excited that David Somers has accepted that role. He has extremely strong business acumen, great research skills and vast experience in managing large research agencies at both a country and regional level'.

Web site: www.mdi-global.com .