BlueChip Communication last week announced that long term staffer Danielle Stitt would step down as CEO but remain with the firm as a senior strategist, and that the firm had appointed four new team members. The new hires include industry veterans Daniel Paperny and Sara Rich, both of whom join in senior client advisory roles following previous roles in house and in the financial trade media.
One-time Hyperion Asset Management marketing head honcho, and former BlueChip client, Danielle Stitt, joined the firm in 2014 to launch a digital and integrated marketing practice. Following the successful launch of the new practice area she was promoted to CEO in late 2018 and led the firm during a period of record new business wins and revenue (FY2020).
Having seen BlueChip and her clients through the initial impact of COVID19 (FY2021) Danielle decided to hand over her leadership responsibilities to colleagues and return to part-time project consulting. She remains on BlueChip's "virtual bench" as a senior adviser, drawing on her more than 25 years in asset management and banking.
"I met BlueChip as a client and was sufficiently impressed, years later, to join the firm. My goal, now achieved, was to put in place the foundations for BlueChip to have a thriving marketing practice, and to build a team who can both serve current clients well, and grow the firm. Being the CEO of a busy professional services firm has been demanding and rewarding beyond my expectations. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to work with smart and nice clients and colleagues, and to develop the careers of the team members I led. We now have a strong senior team in place to lead their own client practice areas which makes it an ideal time for me personally to shift gear and hand over. I’m looking forward to a return to more pure-play client problem-solving, and to working alongside Carden and the team in a different capacity," said Danielle.
"Dan leaves her role as leader having made us a better firm. She lifted the bar for client service discipline, consistency and candour. We're incredibly fortunate to have had her as a colleague; she built a great team and helped improve the quality of our integrated work and our consulting. I'm going to miss her daily input but am delighted she’s remaining part of the team," said BlueChip owner Carden Calder.
Danielle stepped aside as CEO in early August, handing over her client responsibilities to colleagues and her management role to founder Carden Calder and Commercial Director Susie Wearne.
Since the start of the new financial year BlueChip has also welcomed four new team members.
Sara Rich, Senior Consultant, joined BlueChip after stints at the New York Stock Exchange, Financial Services Council, Westpac, Sydney Opera House, The Australian and Money Management. "As a former journalist, Sara has stepped in effortlessly to develop our clients' narratives, deliver sound issues counsel and lead profile-raising engagements,” said Carden. Sara is advising clients including Succession Plus, Financial Simplicity, HeraMED, The Eights, Christian Super and Conexus.
Daniel Paperny joined as Associate Director, advising clients including Hyperion Asset Management, CFM, IC Markets, PetSure, Bell Resources and JOLT. Prior to BlueChip, Daniel was in AGL's Corporate Affairs team, led a client portfolio in media and investor relations consultancy Media & Capital Partners in Sydney and Melbourne, and worked as a journalist across several financial trade publications including Money Management, Super Review, Financial Observer and selfmanagedsuper. "Daniel's track record is one of great results and strong relationships with clients, journalists, and all-important industry stakeholders. In the short few weeks since he joined, he’s won the respect of clients and colleagues,” said Carden.
The team has also welcomed junior associates, Rebecca Sullivan and Nicole Lambert.
Rebecca joins as a PR associate with a track record in services sales and marketing.
Nicole joins as a marketing associate with experience in agency and client relations.
Meet the rest of the BlueChip Communication team here.
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