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.
IMAA appoints first GM
Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA) has appointed Sam Buchanan as its first general manager. Buchanan brings almost 25 years of media experience to the role, working in a variety of roles across media owners and agencies. He worked at Fairfax Media, Jetstar Media, NewsCorp Australia, Prime 7 and SCA before moving to media agencies, working as chief commercial officer for McKenzie Partners, helping the agency commercialise its data insights and identify new revenue streams.
Former Ikon boss joins Havas Media Group
Dan Johns has joined Havas Media Group in the new role of managing partner, effective immediately. Johns, whose has long experience leading the development and growth of specialist digital and data businesses including audience buying, digital experience and social marketing agencies, reports to CEO Virginia Hyland. His 27-year career as a senior executive includes COO at IPG Mediabrands Australia and CEO of media agency Ikon. Most recently, he founded independent consultancy, Ippon.
Commercial Radio's first chief commercial officer
Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) has appointed Omnicom Media Group’s (OMG) Jo Dick to the newly-created role of chief commercial officer. Dick has more than 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across the media industry, most recently as head of partnerships for outdoor and audio at OMG Australia. She has also previously worked at the group’s agency OMD as head of radio, print, cinema and outdoor. In her new role, Dick will be focused on tasks including setting the direction for a differentiated value proposition for radio and audio, and participate in the development of a number of major projects already underway such as automated buying.
Domino's CMO departs
Domino’s is on the hunt for a new ANZ chief marketing officer following the resignation of Allan Collins. Collins has been in the role for almost 15 years and has resigned to pursue new career opportunities. The company is now in the process of recruiting a new ANZ CMO and will make an announcement in due course.
Verizon Media expands Paul Sigaloff's remit
Verizon Media has promoted Paul Sigaloff, expanding his remit beyond Australia and New Zealand to include the regions of India and South East Asia. Sigaloff will become vice president of ANZ INSEA, effective April 1, and will lead the Verizon Media teams across India and South East Asia. He will continue to be based in Sydney and sit on the boards of UnLtd and IAB Australia. Sigaloff has been in various roles within the business since 2014.
Special Group hires CD
Independent creative company Special Group is expanding its creative team with the appointment of Max McKeon as creative director. McKeon joins from Auckland-based creative agency Colenso BBDO where he spent the last two years. Prior to Colenso BBDO, McKeon was responsible for the ‘It’s a Tide Ad’ Superbowl spot. Throughout his career McKeon has been awarded by every major award show around the world, with over 100 individual recognitions, and worked with brands including Boag’s, Toyota, Nestle, Virgin Active, Telstra, NRL, Ikea and Proctor & Gamble.
Are Media comms director exits
Are Media communications director Danika Porter is departing the business after joining in 2019, when it was then Bauer Media. During her time, the business has merged with Pacific Magazines, come under new ownership and rebranded to Are Media. Porter hasn’t revealed her next move.
Hardhat bolsters creative team
Independent agency Hardhat has welcomed creative duo Bec Matlioski and Ben Rydling to the team. Both previously at Ogilvy Melbourne, Matlioski joins Hardhat as copywriter alongside Rydling who joins as art director. The pair have worked together for close to four years across a strong client portfolio that includes Cadbury, AAMI, Priceline Pharmacy and BP. Hardhat also welcomes Isha Brown as senior art director who has come across from BWM Dentsu and has worked on major brands including Kmart, L'Oréal Paris, 7-Eleven, Slurpee, Bonds and Peters. Brown will partner with copywriter Molly Robertson. Internally, Jonathan Heath has been elevated to senior creative and Chris Hince and Andy Segal to creative directors.
INVNT adds six to team
Global experiential agency INVNT has expanded its APAC operations with the appointment of new creative and production talent in Singapore and Sydney. Based in Singapore, Sarah Bailey joins INVNT as creative director, where she is responsible for devising compelling campaign ideas for clients across the entire APAC region. Bailey brings more than ten years’ experience to the role, where she has worked in agency and client-side roles at companies including Freeman and Publicis Singapore. She is joined by Karen Ho in the creative team, who is coming onboard as a junior designer in Sydney. The team also welcomes senior producer Caroline Bubb, producer Rebecca Wheatley and production coordinator Lauren Moorhouse.
Former Spotify boss lands new role
The former Spotify AUNZ managing director Karen Lawson has been named country manager for interactive fitness platform Peloton. Lawson will lead the Australian market for Peloton, as it looks to further growing its Australian based team over the coming months. Her appointment follows Peloton's official announcement of its expansion into Australia on March 8, marking the brand’s entry to the Asia Pacific region.
Teads expands ANZ presence
Global media platform Teads has appointed Claire Stapleton as AdOps associate director. Stapleton was previously working for Teads UK and is a former account manager at Amobee. Peter Maher has been named as director partnership development. He brings past experiences working at Nine, Freewheel and GroupM. The company is also expanding to New Zealand with the launch of an office in Auckland which will be led by Ben Osborne who has been appointed as business director. He has previously worked at AdYouLike and Outbrain.
Indie agency makes key appointments
Independent media agency Scout has appointed Emma Weston as agency director. Weston joins the agency from Carat where she was agency lead for Brisbane. She has also previously consulted to brands such as McDonald’s, Tabcorp Lotteries, and The Coffee Club. Scout has also appointed Alex Holmes as media manager. Holmes joins the Brisbane-headquartered agency direct from OMD Melbourne.
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