Odette van der Haar appointed CEO of J Walter Thompson Johannesburg

Formerly CEO of the Association for Communication and Advertising SA (ACA), van der Haar will still be linked to the industry body through her new role at JWT as the agency’s nominated representative.

Van der Haar will continue to serve on relevant committees and boards at ACA.

Van der Haar’s tenure at ACA began in 2007 and has seen the official body expand its membership by 40%, raise 72 bursaries for the AAA School of Advertising, develop the APEX Awards into a brand with global equity, fought for the protection of intellectual capital in the pitch process and provide advice for government institutions. 

Van der Haar joined the ACA from Sentech, where she headed the company’s advertising, events and sponsorship portfolio for two and a half years. During this time, she also launched the first national wireless technology, My Wireless, for consumers, and Biznet for business clients.

Prior to Sentech, van der Haar held senior management and executive positions in marketing, business development and strategy at African Technology Holdings Group of Companies, South African Post Office Ltd, Siemens, BP Southern Africa, Mutual & Federal and Rentworks.

At Siemens, van der Haar looked after the 20% of Siemen’s global clients based in South Africa, which generated 80% of global revenue for the company. At Mutual and Federal, van der Haar looked after the marketing portfolio for broker business and launched the first-ever loyalty programme in the financial services and insurance sector. 

Faulds says, "Odette’s reputation goes before her, and I am thrilled we will have such a solid business and marketing communications light leading the JWT Johannesburg team to even greater heights." 

Faulds adds, "Her immersion in strategy, business and digital are core elements in JWT’s collaborative partnership with clients. I look forward to reimagining our clients’ brands futures with Odette’s glocal experience driving effective integrated business solutions that delight, with long-term impact."

Van der Haar has served on a number of boards, including the board of the Brand Council of South Africa, and was the custodian of the 'Take a girl child to work' initiative.

Her contribution to the business sector has been recognised in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by the SA Woman of the Year Awards, The Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards in 2015 and The Most Powerful Women in SA Digital Marketing in 2016.

She is also a member of the Aspen Institute’s Global Leadership Network African chapter. 

Van der Haar says, "Joining JWT is a new career highlight for me. With its innovative, future-forward approach that has sustained its presence and relevance in South Africa since 1928, I am excited to return to the agency side of the business, collaborate with clients, and the JWT team, as we continue to drive growth in our transformative and dynamic market."

"It has been my honour to serve the advertising and communications profession in South Africa as CEO of the ACA and, as of July, I look forward to a continued and sustained relationship with the association, through relevant commitments," concludes van der Haar.

For more information, visit www.jwt.com.