Vanessa Tout, Sarah Bailey and Thomas Tearle. Credit: VML
VML has appointed Vanessa Tout as managing director of its Melbourne and Sydney offices, replacing Sarah Bailey, who is stepping away from agency leadership to focus on writing and screen projects.
Tout joined VML four years ago as Melbourne managing partner and has led client growth and agency operations.
Before joining VML, Tout held senior client and growth roles at Isobar and Versa, and spent nearly a decade in the UK leading digital transformation and commerce programs at Digitas and Engage Group.
Bailey joined VML in early 2019 and led the Melbourne and Sydney offices from May 2021.
During her time, the agency unified its two offices under a single leadership group and became one of the region’s most awarded agencies across Effies and major creative shows.
“I couldn’t be more excited for Vanessa and Sarah. Vanessa is exactly the leader our teams and clients need, commercially sharp, creatively driven and unwavering in her focus on outcomes,” VML CEO Australia and New Zealand, Thomas Tearle, said
“At the same time, I’m incredibly happy for Sarah as she leans into her enviable creative ambitions.
“She has successfully blended two agency cultures, helped us through multiple mergers and is just a quite wonderful human.”
Tout said she was honoured to step into the new role.
“Looking to 2026, we’re focused on delivering connected creativity with humanity at its core, deepening our partnerships and driving measurable growth for our clients,” she said.
“I’m excited to champion our brilliant talent in Melbourne and Sydney and keep raising the bar on work that moves people and businesses.”
Bailey said her time at VML was a rewarding one.
“Leaving is incredibly bittersweet, but I’m excited about the creative projects I’m taking on and I’m excited for Vanessa, Rich and the broader VML team and clients knowing what they have in the pipeline and the people they have in place to deliver it. I will remain a big fan,” she said.
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