ISBA DG to Step Down but Remain as Chair of Origin

Phil Smith, Director General of the UK's ISBA is to step down from the role in the middle of next year, but will continue his work for the advertising body as Chair of its fledgling Origin cross-media audience measurement solution.

The ISBA represents and advocates for brand owners advertising in the UK. Origin is part of a global, advertiser-led initiative backed by the World Federation of Advertisers and aims to help organisations plan and measure campaigns across digital and broadcast platforms. This year the initiative has moved from Alpha trials into a Beta stage involving 35 major advertiser members, and is undergoing a small pilot before launching in the first quarter of 2025.

Following Smith's announcement, a three-person Nominations Committee has been appointed from ISBA's Council and Officers, reporting to association President Pete Markey, to begin the search for a new DG.

'Serving ISBA's members has been the best role of my career' says Smith (pictured). 'I look forward to focusing my efforts on driving the success of Origin and will support the Nominations Committee in every way I can in finding an energetic new Director General to take ISBA as an agent of positive change to the next level'.

Markey comments: 'We would like to thank Phil for the drive and purpose he has brought to ISBA over the last eight years. We are committed to find strong leadership to continue to energise ISBA and look forward to working with Phil as he brings to fruition the answer to advertisers' demand for accountable cross-media measurement'.

Web site: www.isba.org.uk .