Hotwire names Chris Paxton as first chief strategy officer

Former CEO, EMEA, of The Leading Edge joins Hotwire to help company deliver powerful insight-led strategies, ideas and communications

Hotwire, the global communications agency, has announced the appointment of Chris Paxton to a newly created role of chief strategy officer, beginning February 4, 2019. He was previously the CEO, EMEA of The Leading Edge, an insight and strategy consultancy. Both Hotwire and The Leading Edge are owned by Enero Group Limited (ASX:EGG).

The appointment signals Hotwire’s ambition to maintain and grow its reputation for providing industry leading strategy and counsel to its global client base. In his previous role with The Leading Edge, Paxton led many cross-agency assignments and so joins Hotwire with a unique perspective on both firms. Paxton’s new role will serve to accelerate ongoing collaboration not just with The Leading Edge but with other agencies in the Enero network.

Based in London, Paxton joins Hotwire’s global leadership team and will be tasked with building even stronger ties across Hotwire and The Leading Edge and on delivering powerful insight-led strategies, ideas and communications across Hotwire clients. Paxton will immediately assume leadership of Hotwire’s existing Strategy and Marketing Services Group along with US-based Executive Vice President, Sahana Jayaraman.

“We’re focused on challenging the established agency order using our size and skills as a not-so-secret weapon. We’re the right size to provide an alternative solution for clients looking for fresh thinking to their business and communications issues.” said Barbara Bates, Hotwire’s Global CEO. “The appointment of Chris to this newly created role signals our commitment to deliver the right level of strategy and business counsel to our clients. I’m delighted he’s joining our leadership team at this exciting time for Hotwire.”

Paxton is a proven and experienced business consultant with a core specialism in insight-based strategy and activation. His past experience involves building a team of global strategists to help evolve The Leading Edge from an insights business to a truly global strategy agency. He has worked with notable brands including Nokia, Sony, Nestle, Bayer, McDonalds, Vodafone and AB InBev and has deep experience in leading teams to translate data into opportunities, ideas and strategies for growth. Paxton previously held domestic positions in the UK and Australia and has worked in a global capacity, supporting offices in America, Singapore, Brazil, and India.