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.
Carat snares Spark Foundry CEO
Carat has appointed a new ANZ CEO, with Spark Foundry's Sue Squillace joining the agency in September. Squillace joins Carat from Spark Foundry where she has held several leadership roles – most recently as CEO since 2017. She will report to Henry Tajer, CEO Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) ANZ, and represent Carat on the DAN ANZ Board. Squillace's appointment marks the return of the CEO role at the agency, which was previously held by current Nine Sydney sales director Paul Brooks, who exited the agency in September last year.
UM promotes Tourism Australia account leader
UM Australia has appointed Sophie Bingham as general manager of UM Sydney. Her promotion is part of UM’s move to provide a better level of client counsel as the media industry continues to "evolve at speed". Bingham has worked in media for 14 years, with the past five at UM. She will continue in her role as global business head for Tourism Australia and previously held the roles of group director on NSW Government and ING.
303 MullenLowe Perth bolsters leadership team
Todd Baker and René Migliore have been appointed as joint managing directors of 303 MullenLowe Perth, as Derry Simpson moves into the role of strategic chair of the agency. In her new role, Simpson will continue to work closely with the management team providing strategic guidance on key client relationships. She will also join agency client Telethon Kids Institute as the head of brand and strategy. Migliore has been the general manager at Mediahub since late 2017. Prior to joining the agency, he has worked for a number of agencies including Initiative, SHEDcsc, 303LOWE, The Brand Agency and DDB Melbourne. Baker joined 303 MullenLowe in 2012 and has worked in the Perth industry for 13 years.
CarAdvice CEO steps down
Andrew Beecher has stepped down as CEO of automotive property CarAdvice. His departure comes just weeks after Nine brought Drive Network, previously of Fairfax Media, into the CarAdvice business. Beecher had been CEO of the company for more than five years, overseeing its sale and transition to a subsidiary of Nine. Greg Barnes, Nine CFO and chairman of CarAdvice, says Beecher helped establish CarAdvice as a leading publisher in the new car space. The search for Beecher’s replacement is underway.
Spotify head of sales departs
Spotify’s head of sales Cassie Gilbert has departed the business after seven years. While Gilbert had been with the music streaming platform since 2012, beginning as sales manager, she had only been in her current role since January this year. In her time at the company, she also worked as director of sales and group sales director. Gilbert has also worked at The Weather Channel and Dennis Publishing.
Merkle appoints MD
Merkle, Dentsu Aegis Network’s (DAN) performance marketing agency, has appointed Rebecca Tos as managing director of Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Tos takes responsibility for Merkle’s ANZ operations – leading and growing the business in market and bringing together the capabilities within Merkle’s local business units, Columbus and Amicus Digital. Tos has been part of DAN since 2012. She progresses into her new executive leadership position from the previous role of CEO, Columbus ANZ where DAN state she was "instrumental in creating a market-leading performance agency".
Bohemia Group names new GM
Bohemia Group has appointed Theo Zisoglou to the role of general manager. Zisoglou, who was previously the head of media and investment for the M&C Saatchi majority-owned agency, joined the business in 2016 as chief investment officer. Prior to his role with Bohemia, Zisoglou had been head of training with Match Media (now Spark Foundry), while also holding director and manager roles at Ikon and Mediacom. It is understood Zisoglou will still continue to report to the agency's current CEO and founder Brett Dawson.
News Corp expands NewsCast team
News Corp Australia has appointed Ainslee O'Brien to lead the company's audio network NewsCast. O'Brien has been tasked with building out the audio network across the content offering, platform, and commercial and subscriber model. She will also begin to expand the audio division with the recruitment of a head of audio. O’Brien joined News Corp Australia in February 2015 as product, sales and strategy director for news.com.au. She was promoted to the role of general manager commercial integration for News DNA in July 2017. Prior to joining News, she worked with Fairfax Media for six years holding a number of roles in the commercial team.
MetLife Australia creates new marketing boss role
MetLife Australia has appointed its first-ever chief customer and marketing officer, promoting Chesne Stafford to the role. Stafford is currently the insurance businesses chief distribution officer, with her new role designed to drive business growth and strengthen key capabilities in the business. She brings to the role over 20 years experience in financial services and a passion for advocating for both clients and customers. Stepping into the chief distribution officer role will be Michael Mulholland. Mulholland has over 25 years experience in financial services in group and retail sales roles across the wealth management industry.
Gumtree Cars boosts team with head of motors
Gumtree Cars has appointed Richard Dicello to the newly created role head of motors. Dicello will be responsible for leading growth efforts of Gumtree Cars and developing a business strategy, guiding its go-to-market approach, strengthening its dealer partnership and strategy, and acting as a "resident expert" in all things automotive. Dicello joins Gumtree with over 20 years of broad experience in the automotive industry. He was formerly the General Manager at BMW Brands Financing & Alphabet Fleet Services. Most recently Dicello was CEO of uFinance Australia that offers finance guidance for Australians for major purchases such as their next vehicle.
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