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.
GroupM's chief investment officer Seb Rennie resigns
One of Australia's leading media buyers, GroupM's chief investment officer Sebastian Rennie, has resigned to pursue "new opportunities" he tells AdNews. It's not clear if Rennie has a role lined up, but will work out a lengthy notice period. He has been in investment for his whole career but could look to branch out and consider roles agency side or in the wider media industry. Rennie has been in the post for the past two-and-a-half years, replacing Danny Bass who left GroupM to become the chief executive of rival IPG Mediabrands Australia. Read more here.
Ikon adds to leadership in Sydney and Brisbane
Ikon has bolstered the leadership ranks of its Sydney and Brisbane offices, appointing two senior media and marketing practitioners following ongoing growth in both states. In Sydney, experienced media professional Jason Smith has joined as agency director, reporting to managing partner James Sawyer. He brings more than 19 years’ experience gained at agencies including Joy, Bohemia, Zenith and Carat both in Australia and the UK. Richard Woof has joined as client service director and brings more than 20 years’ marketing experience gained predominantly in the UK with leading agencies such as OgilvyOne in Surrey.
Ogilvy Melbourne creative duo exit for New York
Aussie creative duo Karsten Jurkschat and Alex Little have exited Ogilvy Melbourne to take up creative director roles at McCann NYC, according to Campaign Brief. In 2015, Jurkschat and Little were named Australia's Young Creatives of the Year by the Association for Data-Driven Marketing & Advertising (ADMA) and, this year, were named Australia's Cannes Young Lion cyber competition winners. Jurkschat had been at Ogilvy since 2013, while Little joined in 2015 from AJF Partnerships.
Read Jurkschat and Little's joint Young Guns profile here.
Punters.com.au founder and CEO Luc Pettett departs
Luc Pettett, founder and CEO of digital racing publisher punters.com.au, is set to depart the News Corp-owned company after nine years. Starting out as a blog in 2008 and acquired by News Corp last year, Punters.com.au provides audience news, results, tipping, odds comparison and a forum for horse racing enthusiasts. He is replaced by Ben Bloomfield, Tabcorp’s current general manager for wagering, technology and media.
News DNA appoints Hannah Stenning as head of video
News Corp digital publishing division News DNA has promoted Hannah Stenning as head of video. Stenning, previously news.com.au’s commissioning editor, replaces Adam Boland. Boland departed News Corp after nine months in the role to join his partner in Canberra. Stenning will work directly across news.com.au and whimn.com.au as well as mastheads The Daily Telegraph, The Courier-Mail, The Advertiser and Herald Sun.
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