Movers & Shakers: GroupM, Val Morgan, Saatchi & Saatchi

Mariam Cheik-Hussein
By Mariam Cheik-Hussein | 23 October 2020

It's hard to keep up with all the latest moves across media, marketing and advertising, so we've made a list. Check out the biggest moves in adland this week. 

Nicola Lewis goes global
GroupM Australia’s chief investment officer Nicola Lewis has been promoted to global chief growth officer of Finecast. Lewis will work alongside global CEO Jakob Nielsen to supercharge the Finecast global footprint, with expansion into 20 countries over the next 24 months. The move will see Lewis return home to Europe in December.

Rebecca Carrasco departs to pursue PhD
Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney ECD Rebecca Carrasco has left the agency to work on a PhD on ‘The Value of Creative Ideas’. Carrasco joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 2018 as deputy ECD before being promoted last year. During her time at the agency, she also worked within Publicis Groupe's bespoke team The Neighbourhood, launched for client Campbell Arnotts. Carrasco has also previously worked at Facebook's Creative Shop, Clemenger BBDO and was co-founder and ECD at Colman Rasic Carrasco.

M&C Saatchi Sydney appoints top creatives
M&C Saatchi Sydney has promoted David Govier and Rosita Rawnsley-Mason as joint creative directors. Together, the pair will lead the Tourism Australia business. Rawnsley-Mason joined M&C Saatchi Sydney as senior art director last October, and has worked on campaigns for CommBank, Aldi, Adidas, Toyota, Crown Lager, and more. Govier, who joined M&C Saatchi last January, has worked at agencies including Clemenger BBDO, Colenso BBDO and Saatchi in New Zealand.

Innocean Australia names ECD
Innocean Australia has appointed Wesley Hawes as its executive creative director. Hawes replaces Steve Jackson who left in July as part of the agency’s ongoing transformation. Hawes has more than 20 years’ experience, working at agencies such as CHE Proximity, Marcel Sydney, TBWA Sydney, and BBH in London.

Val Morgan Digital grows
Val Morgan Digital (VMD) is expanding its team after just over a year of launching. VMD is adding four strategic hires to its team, including Alyce Thomas and Claudia Pearce as agency partnership managers, and Nicola Laing as strategy and content manager. Meanwhile, Jack Revell joins as branded content and weekend editor of VMD’s platform TheLatch.

Val Morgan Outdoor promotes two young guns
Val Morgan Outdoor (VMO) has consolidated its NSW sales team into one that now looks after all three business verticals – VMO Shop, VMO Active and VMO On-The-Go. As part of the changes Kristie Barnfather and Alex Anthony have both been promoted to the role of group sales manager from senior account managers. Barnfather has nine years of experience across Pacific Magazines and VMO Active, while Alex Anthony started his media career nearly five years ago in London, spanning radio, digital and adtech.

HT&E expands exec team
HT&E has appointed Angela Ewers as its first chief people officer. In her new role, Ewers will lead both HT&E and ARN’s people and culture function to support growth and the work environment. Ewers steps into the newly-created role from James Hardie Building Products, where she worked as its people and performance director across the Asia Pacific region. She has also previously worked at Lion across various roles, Caltex Australia Petroleum, and Yum! Restaurants International.

IPG confirms next CEO
IPG’s chief operating officer Philippe Krakowsky will succeed Michael Roth next year as chief executive officer of the global advertising group. Roth will become executive chairman when the appointment becomes effective January 1.

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