Movers & Shakers: Hearts & Science, Match & Wood, ABAC, Accenture Song, Bastion Reputation

Harry Jenkins has retired as the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) independent chair after a five-year tenure and is succeeded by Tony Smith. Both Jenkins and Smith are former speakers of the House of Representatives. The ABAC Scheme has a history of appointing former Parliamentary presiding officers; Jenkins succeeded Alan Ferguson, formerly president of the Senate.

Bronwyn van der Merwe returns to Accenture Song

Bronwyn van der Merwe has returned to Accenture Song, working across the Australia and New Zealand business, with a remit to help drive purpose-driven growth for clients across its product innovation, marketing, commerce, and customer sales and service offerings. With more than 20 year’s worth of experience in the design and innovation space, van der Merwe was most recently VP of design at Culture Amp.

Bastion Reputation appoints former NSW Government advisor Sally Taylor 

Corporate affairs agency Bastion Reputation is continuing its Sydney growth with the appointment of former NSW Government senior media advisor, Sally Taylor, to its team.  Taylor joins as a senior communications strategist after spending the last six years in government where she worked as a media advisor across a range of ministries and portfolios, which followed stints in agencies at The Media Store and TLA Worldwide.   

Essence Mediacom's Peter Skarparis to join Hearts & Science as GM Sydney

Hearts & Science has appointed Peter Skarparis as GM Sydney as the agency looks to build on strong momentum created by recent client wins including SBS and Peloton. Skarparis has 18 years’ experience in the Australian and UK markets, having worked in implementation, comms planning and client leadership roles for global networks in Sydney, Brisbane, and London, with clients from media & entertainment, insurance, and telco to tourism and FMCG.

Honeycomb Strategy adds two senior strategy consultants

Specialist research agency Honeycomb Strategy has appointed Jackson Humphries and Angus McLardie as senior strategy consultants.Humphries has extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research and joins Honeycomb from a six-year stint at New Zealand CX agency Perceptive, where he was a senior research consultant. McLardie most recently worked with The Lab insight and strategy as a consultant and has a background in zoology and anthropology.

Showpony appoints Sydney creative team

Senior Sydney creative team, Nathan Moore and Jermaine Rowe, have joined Showpony to bolster its creative horsepower across the Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide offices. The pair have been working together for six years across major brands including, LG, Woolworths, Football Federation Australia, Hennessey and H&R Block.

Match & Wood promote Sam Enshaw to head of strategy

Match & Wood has promoted Sam Enshaw to head of strategy. Enshaw, who joined the agency two years ago as national strategy director, previously worked across the region and Australia with roles at UM and Initiative. Bringing 10 years of international experience, he will be responsible for the agency’s strategic product across its Melbourne and Perth offices.

McDonald’s appoints Coles' Samantha McLeod as marketing director

McDonald’s Australia has appointed Samantha McLeod as marketing director to lead the menu and food marketing portfolio, responsible for the delivery of customer-focused strategies. McLeod joins McDonald's after a career including general manager of brand, digital and design for Coles and as business lead for BBH London.

Superdream announces new hire and internal promotions

Marketing agency Superdream has appointed a new account director and has promoted two internal staff members. Ashleigh Cox joins the team as account director, Nicole Streete, previously PR and communications manager, has been promoted to PR and communications director and Victoria Sergeant, formerly account manager, has been promoted to senior account manager.