Zenith Media Australia has announced the appointment of Penny Shell as its new Chief Strategy and Product Officer. Shell, an internationally acclaimed strategist with over two decades of experience in media and strategy roles, will join the agency's executive leadership team. Her role will involve overseeing the strategy, planning, and product capabilities core to Zenith Australia's 'Imagination' pillar of its ROI3 proposition of 'Investment, Imagination and Insight'.

Shell will also focus on identifying and building best-in-class media and communications solutions that drive growth and deliver strong brand and business outcomes for Zenith's clients. Based in Zenith's Melbourne office, she will work closely with Co-National Heads of Strategy and Planning, Sarah Heitkamp and Simon Schoen.

"We are delighted to have Penny come on board to lead our product and strategy offering locally. As an internationally award-winning strategist with more than 20 years’ experience in media and strategy roles, Penny is the ideal person to further elevate the Imagination tenet of our business to uncover new opportunities for competitive advantage for our clients," said Jason Tonelli, Zenith Australia CEO.

Prior to this appointment, Shell has been working as an independent consultant on strategy, product, brand, and media for the past six months. Before her consultancy role, she held positions such as Head of Strategy, Head of Product and Planning, and Chief Product Officer at leading multinational media agencies.

"After spending the last four months consulting with the team at Zenith Australia, I couldn’t pass up the chance to be a permanent member of the agency in creating true innovative products and building exciting solutions to close industry gaps. It's a privilege to join Zenith Australia at a time of such momentum and growth and I look forward to working with our incredible strategy, digital, planning and commerce leads to realise media’s potential to deliver new ROI for our clients," Shell commented on her appointment.