Publicis Mojo boss Joe Pollard has left the company with Andrew Baxter named as CEO of Publicis Australia.
Pollard, a former Nike exec and Ninemsn boss, joined the firm in the June 2012. She told AdNews that the the decision had been "difficult, but I have to make it for personal reasons".
Baxter will oversee all operations and becomes part of the Publicis Worldwide global management team.
Pollard said the company was in good hands.
"Andrew will do a great job and I will be helping him transition into the agency. I leave behind a fantastic team who will continue to grow the business. I want to thank all of the Publicis Communications clients for their ongoing support. They are a pleasure to work with."
The move leaves STW looking for a new boss for Ogilvy.
Mike Connaghan, CEO, STW Group said Ogilvy remained in "outstanding shape" and would "continue to deliver [results for clients] throughout this period of transitional change.
"I will work closely with Ogilvy’s senior management team to provide additional support and guidance until we can make an announcement regarding Andrew’s replacement. We look forward to making that announcement in due course."
See the Publicis statement below:
PUBLICIS WORLDWIDE APPOINTS ANDREW BAXTER AS CEO, AUSTRALIA
Publicis Worldwide announced today that it has named Andrew Baxter as CEO, Australia.
Baxter’s appointment follows the departure of Joe Pollard who decided to leave for personal
reasons.
In his new role, Baxter will direct the operations of Publicis Worldwide in Australia, which
counts collectively 450 professionals across diverse businesses in Sydney, Melbourne and
Brisbane. He will also be a member of the Publicis Worldwide Global Management Team.
“Andrew’s appointment is an important move for Publicis Worldwide as he brings tremendous
leadership to this important market that will allow us to continue delivering the best services
to our clients,”said Arthur Sadoun, CEO of Publicis Worldwide. “I would like to thank Joe for
the great work she has done up to this point in leading our operations in Australia”
“Andrew brings a unique combination of strong client relationships at the most senior levels,
an impressive track record in business growth and clear abilities to innovate ahead of market
trends,”said Loris Nold, CEO of Asia Pacific for Publicis Worldwide. “I expect he will contribute
significantly to the region as we drive regional connectivity for the benefit of our clients”.
“This is a great honor for me and I would like to thank Arthur and Loris for their confidence.
Publicis Worldwide has ambitious plans for the Australian market, which are completely in line
with my professional ambitions,”said Baxter. “Our Australian business is in very good shape
and I'm looking forward to evolving it further to meet the needs of the brands and marketers
it currently serves, as well as prospective clients.”
For the past three years, Baxter held the role of CEO of Ogilvy Australia, where he supervised
the launch and development of businesses specializing in advertising, direct marketing,
digital, activation, digital media, brand strategy, photography and video, design and ethnic
communications. During his tenure, major award-winning and now globally famous campaigns
“Share a Coke”and AAMI’s “Rhonda and Ketut”were launched. He worked at Ogilvy for a total
of nine years in both Melbourne and Sydney where he held numerous senior businessmanagement
positions prior to his appointment as CEO.
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