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.
Mark Lollback departs GroupM
WPP’s GroupM has announced the departure of its CEO for Australia and New Zealand Mark Lollback. Lollback, who has led the business since 2016, will be stepping down on March 19. WPP says it is looking for his replacement with GroupM APAC CEO Ashutosh Srivastava leading the business in the interim. Lollback oversaw the integration between the company’s portfolio of agencies including Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker and Essence, and the launch of addressable TV business Finecast. He joined GroupM following a global marketing career including positions as VP of Marketing for Unilever, ANZ CMO for McDonald’s and CMO for ANZ Banking Group.
Ikon's Pia Coyle joins Avenue C
Pia Coyle is leaving WPP's Ikon for a senior role at independent media agency Avenue C. WPP had previously announced Coyle's replacement as national investment director as Shalyce McLean. Coyle is going to Avenue C as managing partner, joining three colleagues from her days at UM: Daniel Cutrone, Hugo Cutrone, Will Chapman. She has had a long career in media, first at Starcom and then UM. She has been at Ikon since 2011.
M&C Saatchi's joint MDs
Sian Cook and Michael McEwan have been appointed joint managing directors of M&C Saatchi AUNZ. Russell Hopson is stepping down from his role as group managing director. Cook was managing partner of M&C Saatchi Sydney and Michael McEwan was MD of M&C Saatchi Melbourne. Cook joined M&C Saatchi in 2016 following 14 years at BBH London. McEwan joined M&C Saatchi Melbourne in late 2019, after spending much of his career at Clemenger BBDO and Ogilvy.
Natalie Barr replaces Samantha Armytage on Sunrise
Natalie Barr has been named co-host of Seven’s Sunrise after the departure of Samantha Armytage last week. Barr has been working at the morning show for more than 17 years since she joined as a news presenter in 2003. Barr joins David Koch as cohost, along with the rest of the news team; Mark Beretta, Edwina Bartholomew and weatherman Sam Mac from today.
Leo Burnett appoints chief client partner
Leo Burnett Australia has appointed Amanda Wheeler as chief client partner on Suncorp and Craveable Brands. Wheeler brings to the role more than 20 years’ experience working in the advertising industry. Her expert knowledge across a broad range of skills comes from her background practicing as a journalist, strategist, communications manager, public relations manager, senior planner, team leader, general manager and managing partner. Wheeler was managing partner at DDB Group Australia, where she managed a portfolio of blue chip clients, including Volkswagen, Skoda, Freedom and Unilever.
HuffPost local team axed
The HuffPost Australia team is being cut just weeks after merging with its new owner BuzzFeed. According to HuffPost Australia editor Alicia Vrajlal, the title will no longer have a local team from Friday. The online site has also posted a note saying it will cease publishing content from March 17, with existing content to be maintained as an online archive. Readers are being directed to HuffPost.com for global content.
Ex-AKQA NZ boss joins Claxon
Former Clemenger BBDO, SapientRazorfish, and most recently AKQA NZ managing director Stephen Forth has been appointed the new CEO of independent growth agency Claxon. The appointment comes off the back of co-founder and current CEO Daniel Willis stepping down but continuing his role on the board. Forth will guide Claxon through significant growth plans as it continues to expand its product offering and eyes UK expansion later this year.
Adgile nabs Seven's Phil Hammond
TV data and analytics business Adgile has further expanded its management team with the addition of Phil Hammond as global head of data partnerships. Hammond is a TV industry veteran who specialises in data commercialisation, product creation, business development and technology. He has a wealth experience in both Australia and the UK, having led cross-functional teams in organisations that include Seven West Media, Foxtel Media, Sky Media, Sky UK and Westpac Banking Corporation. He was most recently head of commercial data at Seven West Media.
Two new appointments at iHeartRadio
ARN’s iHeartRadio has appointed Leanne Stamps as music director and programmer, and Shannon Fong as its new music and operations manager. Stamps joins iHeartRadio from Krock Geelong where she has been music director as well as across on-air and producing roles. Shannon has held programming roles on Foxtel’s music channels and more recently at the ABC.
Enero Group names financial chief
Enero Group has appointed Carla Webb-Sear as its new chief financial officer. Webb-Sear joins the group from Channel 10/Viacom CBS where she held the CFO role for more than two years. She has also spent 11 years with Fairfax Media in a variety of senior financial roles and has worked at PwC in Australia, the UK and the US.
Iris regional boss exits
Iris APAC regional CEO Luke Nathans is departing the agency after 12 years. Nathans has been responsible for building the creative innovation network’s capabilities throughout Asia Pacific. Iris has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Lego, Guinness and Samsung.
New hires at Connecting Plots
Creative communications agency Connecting Plots has welcomed two new senior hires to the team. Alexa Burchell joins as art director, while Bonnie Ledsam takes on the role of senior integrated producer and studio manager. Burchell has worked in a variety of agencies and roles throughout her career, including most recently as creative designer at Isobar. Ledsam most recently spent two years at QANTAS as its creative operations manager. Prior to that, she spent five years at BWM Dentsu working with clients including QANTAS, nbn, Ferrero, and Maserati.
Daresay adds editorial and social media hires
Content and social agency Daresay has bolstered its team with the appointment of two editors and a community manager to manage new business growth. Matilda Duffecy joins Daresay as senior content editor from UK design consultancy The Frameworks. For three years she was at advertising and content agency Edge, starting as editor before being promoted to senior editor. She has also worked at Inside Out and Super Food Ideas magazine in editorial and social media roles. Noah Shaberman joins as junior content editor. Shaberman has experience in communications and content roles at SurfAid and recruitment consultancy Australiance. Kaleela Lauder joins as community manager and content assistant. She previously worked at PR and communications agency Electric Collective.
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