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.
Nova taps Mamamia’s Rachel Corbett
Rachel Corbett has joined Nova Entertainment to head up its podcast business, following the network’s split from sales partner Acast. Corbett, who recently left Mamamia where she was head of podcasting for more than two years, has joined the network as head of podcasts and digital content. Since leaving Mamamia, Corbett has consulted with Google on their podcasts and continued to work at PodScool which she founded four years ago. In her new role, Corbett will be responsible for leading Nova’s digital content strategy, development, production and talent management.
Acast grows local sales team
Acast is bolstering its local sales team with six new hires, following the end of its partnership with Nova Entertainment. Joining the team is Tom Roach as Acast’s local creative strategy lead. Isabella Gibson-Giorgio, Katalina Haddad, Michelle Smith, Diana Lee and Teresa Ly also join the streaming platform in roles across account management and sales planning.
Ten names Studio 10 co-host
Network 10 has appointed international dance star Tristan MacManus as the new co-host of morning show Studio 10, less than a month after the broadcaster cut into its news department. The move sees the program return to the traditional two-host format. MacManus, a former Dancing with The Stars judge, starts his new role September 14. Ten says the appointment aims to provide a “feelgood factor and light-hearted distraction” for viewers.
Akcelo brings in former VMLY&R talent
Mark Berry, former regional design director at VMLY&R, has joined brand experience and innovation company Akcelo as a partner. Berry spent more than ten years at WPP leading the design practice for VMLY&R. He led some of the agency’s largest clients including CommBank Group’s digital experience transformation, McDonald’s store and commerce experience, along with product design and innovation projects for Pfizer and Rip Curl. Working alongside Akcelo partners Aden Hepburn, Dave Di Veroli and Miles Scott, he will lead Akcelo’s design practice. Two additional senior appointments have been made, with Issac Lai and Bethany Ryan joining Akcelo as it continues to add new clients.
Hearts & Science restructures
Omnicom’s Hearts & Science’s chief experience officer Jon Betts has moved into the newly created role of general manager for creative and media as the agency “sharpens” its focus on the customer journey. Betts will lead integrated creative and media partnerships at national level, driving integrated process and teams, as well as new business.
BMF adds creative duo
BMF has added award-winning international creatives Doug Hamilton and Casey Schweikert to the team. Doug Hamilton joins BMF as a creative director with a decade of experience. He has worked at agencies including Droga5 NY, Anomaly, BBH Singapore and TBWA Sydney on campaigns for clients such as Google, Under Armour, Budweiser and Captain Morgan. After spending four years working in New York at R/GA and BBH, Casey Schweikert decided to return to her hometown of Sydney. During that time, she produced work for various global brands such as PlayStation, Amazon, Verizon and JBL.
Bastion Collective names global CEO
Bastion Collective has announced the appointment of Jack Watts as global CEO to lead the company across Australia, the US and Asia. Watts has been CEO of Bastion Collective's Australian business for the past four years after starting the sponsorship and experiential arm of Bastion Collective, Bastion EBA, in 2009. Now entering its 11th year, Bastion Collective is the largest independent communications agency in Australia with more than 200 staff across Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.
PHD makes two promotions
PHD has expanded Manon Pietra’s role to now include regional oversight as the lead for the agency’s people & development community. The agency has also promoted Chloe Hooper to co-lead the growth community with Garth Farrar, head of business development, APAC.
Essence appoints CEO
GroupM's global data and measurement-driven media agency Essence has appointed T. Gangadhar as the company’s CEO for APAC. Succeeding Essence’s global CEO Kyoko Matsushita, who previously served as APAC CEO, Gangs will be responsible for driving continued client-centric innovation in data, analytics, and technology, as well as business growth and company culture across the agency’s fastest-growing region. Based out of Mumbai in India, Gangs will work closely with Essence’s global and APAC leadership teams, and will continue to report to Matsushita.
Seven West Media restructures communications
Seven West Media (SWM) is restructuring its corporate affairs and publicity function, bringing in consultants and cutting from the top. Going is Julia Lefort, the director of corporate affairs and publicity. Shoebridge Knowles Media Group, founded by Neil Shoebridge, a former director of corporate and public communications at Network Ten, has been appointed as a consultant.
WPP hires communications boss
WPP AUNZ has appointed Toby Hemming as head of communications and marketing, Australia and New Zealand. Working closely with CEO Jens Monsees, the new group role will lead internal and external communications and marketing programs across WPP AUNZ. With global experience in the tech, media and marketing sectors, Hemming brings more than two decades of strategic communications leadership to the role. Most recently founder and managing director of APAC communications consultancy Bold, Hemming has also held roles as head of communications at News Digital Media in Sydney and at BSkyB in London.
FutureBrand expands
Stephen Barber has been appointed to the newly-created role of brand experience director at FutureBrand. Barber will be responsible for leading and growing FutureBrand’s brand experience capability for customers and employees, strengthening the connection between brand purpose and everyday experience to give brands a measurable competitive advantage. He has more than 20 years’ brand experience, including customer experience leadership roles at PwC and Interbrand globally, as well as director of digital strategy for FutureBrand London.
Claxon adds chief strategy officer
Digital growth agency Claxon has appointed Greg Chamberlain to the newly created role of chief strategy officer. Chamberlain brings 15 years expertise in media to the independent agency, having worked in digital strategy, performance marketing and data driven growth. Previously Chamberlain was a director at direct response consultancy Fideliti Performance and has held senior leadership roles with global media agencies OMD and Publicis Media, worked for Adobe Analytics, and has overseen strategic planning on brands such as Village Roadshow Theme Parks and the Suncorp Group, helping them achieve success via data-driven marketing communications.
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