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.
Former Allianz marketer joins Aussie Home Loans
Former group general manager, marketing, for Allianz, Sascha Hunt, has exited the business and joined Aussie Home Loans. Hunt had been with the insurer for over four years, originally joining from Tabcorp where she had held the role of head of digital marketing, strategy and innovation. She oversaw the appointment of Cummins&Partners as the lead creative agency during her time, ending its relationship with Mercerbell.
Nine's Helen McCabe focuses on Future Women
Nine’s Helen McCabe is stepping down from her role as digital content director to focus on Future Women, with digital editorial director Kerri Elstub taking over her responsibilities. McCabe lead the evolution of Nine’s women network, launching 9Honey which hosts content from 9Kitchen, 9TheFix, 9Elsewhere and more. She now focuses on Nine’s subscription platform Future Women, a content-led destination which targets professional women through events and workshops.
OMG CEO for APAC and EMEA
Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has appointed PHD Worldwide CEO Mike Cooper to the newly created role of group CEO for APAC and EMEA. In his new role, Cooper will be tasked with assuring service standards across OMG's agencies PHD, OMD and Hearts & Science, and driving consistent adoption of transformative technology, products and practices within the markets outside of the Americas. Cooper has worked with OMG agencies for the past two decades, working as the first employee and CEO of OMD in the Asia Pacific region as well as heading of PHD Worldwide since 2007.
ABC reveals MD
The ABC has appointed acting managing director David Anderson to the role permanently, ending the months-long search to replace Michelle Guthrie. Anderson, who has been acting MD since September, was previously the director for entertainment and specialist, which included overseeing the national broadcaster’s radio music networks, podcasts and specialist radio content, as well as its TV networks. Anderson has also previously worked as director of strategy and planning and director of digital network, during which he led the corporation's digital transformation.
Grant Blackley joins AANA
Grant Blackley, CEO and MD at Southern Cross Austereo, is joining the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) as board director. Blackley has also been chair of industry body Commercial Radio Australia since December, when he replaced former former Macquarie Media CEO Adam Lang. Matt Tapper, AANA chair, says Blackley’s 30 years of experience across media organisations, such as Ten and SCA, makes him the right fit for the role. Blackley’s appointment to the AANA Board follows the appointment of Andrew Hicks, Woolworths director of marketing, Martin Brown of Nestlé and Lisa Ronson, who recently joined Coles as CMO.
GPJ Australia hires creative director
Experiential agency GPJ Australia has bolstered its creative offering with the appointment of Emma Gill as creative director. Gill brings 10 years of global brand experience across multiple categories working with clients such as Mini, Adidas, Porsche, Shell and Diageo. Gill has held tenures as designer at both Sydney-based brand consultancy and design firm Landor and London-based experiential agency TRO, where she later became creative lead.
Veridooh bolsters team
Digital out of home measurement and verification platform Veridooh has strengthened its team with the appointment of Areef Vohra as commercial and partnerships director. Areef has over 20 years’ experience in the out of home and media industry, both in Australia and overseas, and has been tasked with growing strategic clients and partnerships locally and internationally. He has previously held positions as general manager at Active International, a barter company specialising in media trading, JCDecaux and Eye (now Ooh! Media).
AWARD reveals new chair
The Communications Council has appointed M&C Saatchi chief creative officer Cam Buckley as the chair of the Australasian Writers and Art Directors Association (AWARD). He takes over the role from Mike Spikovski who has stepped down after two years as chair. Blackley, who has been an AWARD committee member since 2016, has over 20 years’ experience at leading international creative shops including Droga5 NYC, AMV BBDO and Publicis London.
Thrive grows team
Thrive PR and Communications has added six new roles to its Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane offices, boostings its skills across categories including sport, food and beverage and hospitality communications. Jemima Fallows and Caroline La Rose join as account directors in Sydney. In Melbourne, Jasmine Richwol has been appointed as account director and Jai Higgs as account manager. In its Brisbane office, Sam Borland-Smith has joined as senior account executive. Joanne Barnes has been appointed into another newly created role, HR director.
De’Longhi marketer joins Sydney agency
Sydney-based agency Focus Creative has appointed De’Longhi marketer Ellie Moss as its new account director. Moss is now responsible for overseeing accounts at the agency and augmenting services across its suite of clients. She previously worked at De’Longhi Group as marketing manager, overseeing its strategic marketing plans, integrated campaign execution and new product introduction.
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