Communicado hires ex-McCann MD Georgie Pownall and Cummins&Partners' Sarah McGregor

Paige Murphy
By Paige Murphy | 17 November 2020

Melbourne-based independent agency, Communicado, has bolstered its integrated offering with the appointment of Georgie Pownall as managing director and Sarah McGregor as executive creative director.

Pownall brings more than 25 years’ industry experience to Communicado.

She has worked at a number of agencies such as DDB, Publicis and more recently was the managing director at McCann Melbourne.

Pownall was made redundant from McCann in a leadership team shake-up earlier in the year following Ben Lilley's purchase of the network agency's local operations.

Her career spans multiple business categories including the retail, beauty, financial services, FMCG, education, tourism and health sectors.

“The team at Communicado specialises in truly integrated communications solutions," Pownall says.

"The agency now offers big brand and creative thinking that translates through to PR, digital and shopper marketing and I’ve been impressed by their strategic capabilities.

"Communicado is on an exciting trajectory - I’m ​delighted ​to be coming on board to build on the momentum, and thrilled to have Ms McGregor join us."

McGregor brings more than 20 years' experience to Communicado, joining the business from Cummins&Partners Melbourne.

She has previously working in Melbourne and London agencies including Leo Burnett, Karmarama, Y&R and Grey London.

Her work has been locally and internationally recognised at every major award show.

She has served for three years as Victorian Head of Award School and is also a member of the RMIT Professional Advisory Committee and Snapchat Creative Council.

“Communicado’s mission to start where others stop really resonates with me," McGregor says.

"I love the work that Communicado creates and their willingness to go to the end of the earth for their clients and ideas so I am incredibly excited to be joining such a talented group of people.”

Cummins&Partners chief creative officer Sean Cummins says the agency wishes McGregor all the best in her new role.

“Sarah leaves Cummins&Partners after her second stint with the agency, the first being her first job," Cummins says.

"Sarah epitomises the very best of an all round creative leader and she follows an impressive group of C&P alumni to start their own agency or take high office. We’re proud of her and wish her well.”

Communicado director Kerrie Ryan says the agency has "gone from strength to strength" over the last eight years building a company culture that "truly celebrates a strong team mentality". 

Ryan says hiring Pownall and McGregor would further bolster the agency's offering.

"Bringing with them industry clout and invaluable knowledge, Georgie and Sarah also share our passion for going beyond each brief and will further elevate the Communicado team as well as our work alongside our network of creative partners," Ryan says.

"We’re thrilled to have them on board and we’re excited by the bigger opportunities ahead."

Wholly independent for more than 30 years, Communicado has been delivering integrated communications solutions for some of Australian brands including Dulux Australia, Asahi Premium Beverages, Carpet Court, Mayver’s, Earth Choice, Arcare, PETstock, McCormick Foods and Aeroplane Jelly.

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