Claxon appoints former CEO and co-founder Daniel Willis as Chairman

Gold Coast based digital growth agency Claxon has appointed former CEO and co-founder Daniel Willis as Chairman of the board. Willis was at the helm of the agency since inception in 2017 and stepped down from his role as CEO in April this year, when former AKQA and Sapient Razorfish managing director Stephen Forth was appointed as his successor.

Willis steps into the role at a time when the agency is experiencing significant growth under Forth and his newly rebuilt leadership team, and will be responsible for taking Claxon’s M&A initiative to market.

Claxon’s global acquisition strategy will build the industry's newest independent agency group, at a time when Willis feels both clients and talent are experiencing a shifting of consciousness away from traditional holding companies back to independents.

“As we continue to build the Claxon Group globally, we’ll be able to provide clients with the scale, global footprint, rigour and power of a holding company, infused with the agility, innovation and incomparable passion of an indie. This ultimately provides clients with the best of both worlds” said Willis.

Claxon plans to acquire a number of independents over the next 24 months across media, creative & brand, data & analytics and digital consultancy, spread across the globe.

Forth said “This is an exciting time for our industry, for clients, for talent, and for indie owners who like the idea of being part of a global force, whilst maintaining control of their agency day to day. We’re currently experiencing ‘The rise of the super indies’ and it’s exciting to have a front row seat”

Earlier this month, Mediaweek spoke to Stephen Forth about building the agency and joining the IMAA.

“Any association is only as good as the members and the activity that it brings forward. What I’m finding thus far is that Sam (Buchanan, IMAA GM) seems to be running a pretty good operation, always surfacing up some good learnings, and opportunities,” he said.