Standley (pictured) has been with Kantar since 2009 and was previously head of innovation at the business. In his new role, he will oversee the analytics practice’s growth and development, including its investment in artificial intelligence (AI).

Kantar’s analytics practice combines insight from the company’s proprietary data with large data sets, to advise clients on marketing effectiveness, brand positioning and wider strategy. 

Standley takes over the role from Daniel Singer, who joined Kantar in 2021 when it acquired Mavens of London, where he was chief executive. Singer has left the business.

Standley will focus on using technology to speed up analysis while working with Kantar’s teams to help clients understand how they should act on findings. 

Kantar acquired the Hamilton AI platform last year through its purchase of Copenhagen-based marketing measurement and optimisation company Blackwood Seven. The technology is now used for Kantar’s Unified Marketing Measurement and Optimisation tool, used by marketers to optimise media budgets.

Amy Cashman, executive managing director, Kantar insights division, UK & Ireland, said: “The world is swimming in data and our clients want help to cut through the noise to make better, informed decisions for their brands. With Mark at the helm, our analytics practice is perfectly primed to support businesses as they navigate this turbulence.”