It's hard to keep up with all the moves across media, marketing and advertising so we've compiled them all in one place. Check out the Movers and Shakers of the week:
Ensemble boss Mel Fein takes Initiative CEO spot
Ensemble boss Melissa Fein has been appointed CEO of IPG Mediabrands' media agency Initiative, AdNews can reveal. Fein has been at the helm of IPG’s partnerships and brand experience agency Ensemble since March, and will take on leadership of Initiative as of now. She fills a void left by previous CEO Lee Leggett, who left in July. Read more here.
Grey Melbourne creative Michael Knox exits for Hong Kong role
Michael Knox has been promoted from chief creative officer and managing partner of Grey Melbourne to a regional role at Grey Hong Kong. He will take on creative responsibilities at the Hong Kong business. Knox has been at Grey Melbourne for five years, joining from Ogilvy in 2011. Read more here.
Former Leo Burnett Sydney boss Tim Castree named global CEO of MEC
After 14 years at the helm of MEC as global CEO, Charles Courtier is stepping down and is replaced by a former CEO of Leo Burnett Sydney, and more recently, MD of Videology in North America, Tim Castree. Courtier, who leaves the role to focus on interests outside the company, will continue as MEC’s CEO through a transition period and step down at the end of the year, but continue with WPP through June, 2017. Castree will step into his new role in January 2017. Read more here.
Mark Harris appointed ECD at Emotive
Emotive has appointed Mark Harris as ECD as it looks to bolster its creative output and strategic offering. With more than 20 years’ experience in the advertising industry, Harris' background spans every corner, from storyboard artist to director, cameraman to innovative digital creative, writer to client. He was worked around the world for brands such as Adidas, Apple, PlayStation, Sky, Optus, Carlsberg, Microsoft, Fox Sports, Ch4 and Samsung.
Saatchi's transformation lead heads to TBWA\Auckland
Current managing partner of transformation at Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, Catherine Harris, has been named the new managing director of TBWA\Auckland. Harris is a returning Kiwi, having spent the last 15 years working in the UK and Australia for agencies including Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi and Havas. During seven years at TBWA\London, she ran the Nissan business across Europe. Harris has diverse category experience across banking, retail, automotive, alcohol and tech. In 2015, under her leadership, the ‘Penny the Pirate’ campaign for OPSM was ranked as the No. 1 campaign for Effectiveness in the World by the Effies and also won a Cannes Innovation Lion. She commences her new role in December.
Beau Curtis exits MediaCom
MediaCom director of content and connections planning Beau Curtis will exit the business in December. On his LinkedIn page, Curtis said he is looking for at possible positions in Singapore, Europe, US and Canada. He has been at the agency for two and a half years.
Ikon SEO director joins SheSays board
Ikon Communications SEO director Jules Ward has joined the board of global networking group SheSays, and will lead the Sydney arm replacing Yasmin Quemard who stepped down from the role earlier this year. Ward takes on the voluntary role in addition to her post at Ikon. She has previously held roles at Starcom and Columbus Agency.
Amobee charges up on mobile
Ad tech company Amobee ANZ has poached Fairfax's agency group director, Tricia Fallows, for a head of mobile role. At the publisher Fallows led group sales across the Fairfax print and digital portfolio. Before that she had senior sales roles at AOL and Yahoo in London and Canada. Her new spot means she'll be responsible for spearheading mobile strategy and innovation for Amobee’s clients across Australia and New Zealand. She will also drive education and learning in mobile media and marketing, helping clients upskill in mobile first strategies and bridge the knowledge gap. Fallows will start her new role early 2017.
Andy Lark departs Xero
One of Australia’s most well known marketeers, Andy Lark, has departed accounting software business Xero, after it was revealed that the company was restructuring its management roles. The business announced the shifts to its management team via the ASX, outlining the function of the chief marketing and revenue officer will be replaced by a chief marketing officer who will focus on global brand and marketing communications. This shift saw Lark take the opportunity to “pursue new ventures.” It is not yet clear what his next steps will be.
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