The OzTAM Board has announced Karen Halligan as its new CEO, succeeding Doug Peiffer who departed in July.
Halligan has more than 25 years’ experience in senior client, media owner and agency roles. She joins from KPMG where she has spent almost six years and is Partner – KPMG Customer specialising in marketing, martech and media advisory.
Her appointment comes as the ratings provider steps up its new VOZ data output into 2024.
Previous roles include Coca-Cola as Media Manager, Managing Director of Zenith, senior management roles with Mediacom, Slingshot Media, and Bohemia Group, and as National Commercial and Operations Director at SCA.
OzTAM Independent Chair, Mark Buckman, said: “The Board and I are delighted that Karen will join OzTAM as its next CEO. It is her unique combination of experience that makes Karen the perfect choice to lead OzTAM through its next exciting phase.
“Karen has an impeccable reputation and tremendous senior experience across agency, client, media owner and consulting. OzTAM is in the midst of its own transformation which began with the launch of VOZ in May, and the commencement of VOZ Streaming next year. Karen brings the perfect blend of skills and experience to lead OzTAM forward with the nation’s most progressive and world-leading measurement system and the only broadcast Total TV single source of truth to assist marketers achieve their business objectives.
Halligan said: “I am incredibly excited to join the OzTAM team at this pivotal moment in time. The opportunity to join a team that is transforming to deliver a globally leading and evolving measurement solution, underpinned by new technology, was just too good to pass up.
“During my time in the industry, and more recently at KPMG, I have been working closely with clients to understand and demonstrate the importance of measuring marketing and the returns derived from these investments. The opportunity to leverage the OzTAM data to position marketing as an investment and not just a cost will be at the forefront of my mind as we continue to front into a rapidly evolving media industry.”
Buckman added: “Karen replaces interim CEO, Dorus van den Biezenbos who has done an outstanding job leading OzTAM since taking the reins in July. The Board thanks Dorus for his significant contribution and is delighted that he will continue as a consultant to OzTAM.”
Halligan’s appointment is effective from 27 November -the final week of 2023 survey.