Jo McAlister
Jo McAlister, the CEO of Initiative Australia, is moving to News Corp.
She will launch and lead STORYx, a new dedicated function for content integration, strategy, and solutions.
McAlister, who spent seven years with Initiative, including the past two as CEO, will report to Lou Barrett, managing director of client partnerships.
“Jo brings a rare combination of bold creative thinking and deep operational expertise across both client-side and agency leadership,” Barrett said.
“She's just led one of Australia's top media agencies through one of the biggest structural changes our industry has seen, and her experience driving transformation will be invaluable as we scale our ability to bring complex campaigns to life faster than ever before.”
McAlister said STORYx brings together best-in-class content capabilities with the reach of Australia's largest publisher.
“In an era of fragmented attention, a single touchpoint is no longer enough,” she said.
“The ability to deliver integrated storytelling at this scale with speed and precision is genuinely exciting.
“This is about building the infrastructure that allows creativity and data to work together to deliver real outcomes for clients.”
McAlister brings more than 20 years of media experience, with senior roles at Foxtel, NBCUniversal, SBS and the Seven Network.
She will remain in her role at Initiative until July while the appointment of a new CEO for Initiative is finalised.
National managing director Paige Wheaton will continue to lead client relationships, alongside Initiative’s senior leadership team, supported by the broader Omnicom Media EXCO leadership team.
“On behalf of the entire business, I want to thank Jo for her energy, care and commitment to every team member at Initiative, the wider business and our clients,” said Kristiaan Kroon, CEO Omnicom Media.
“Jo has been an incredible leader and has played a key role in growing the Initiative business and the people within it. I acknowledge her many achievements throughout her time with IPG and now Omnicom Media.
“”We are genuinely pleased for Jo and look forward to seeing her continue her success in her new role. She will be missed but will always be considered part of Omnicom’s family.”
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