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.
Mars Wrigley appoints top marketer
Mars Wrigley Australia has appointed Ben Hill as marketing director. Hill will lead the marketing from Mars Wrigley Australia’s Melbourne headquarters, with responsibility for the growth of 17 iconic brands, including Extra, Maltersers, M&M's, Mars and Skittles. Hill brings more than 20 years’ experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. He has woked across marketing, category, shopper insights and planning and activation within Mondelez, Coca-Cola Amatil, Nestlé and Unilever. Prior to joining Mars Wrigley Australia, Hill served as marketing, innovation and corporate affairs director at Bega Cheese, where he was instrumental in transitioning Vegemite back to Australian ownership.
Ex-ViacomCBS exec becomes Finder CEO
Chris Ellis has been appointed to the newly created role of CEO of comparison site Finder Australia, following an 18-month search. Ellis is the former vice president of commercial and business development at ViacomCBS, the parent company of MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. He has also held senior roles with MySpace, AOL and co-founded start-up cloud management tool GorillaStack.
DDB Sydney's new social team
DDB Sydney has appointed Alex Watts as head of social as it continues to grow its social capability. Watts will lead the newly-formed social team for DDB Sydney with McDonald’s as its foundation client. The agency is currently recruiting a team across strategy, creative, and production. Watts joins the agency from Ogilvy where he was head of social for the last two years, leading its social offering across all clients.
Former Foxtel CEO becomes chair at Quantium
Former Foxtel CEO Peter Tonagh has joined the Quantium board as its first independent non-executive chairman. Tonagh was previously CEO of Foxtel from 2016 to 2018. Since leaving Foxtel, he has taken on board roles with Bus Stop Films and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS). He joined Village Roadshow as a non-executive director in July last year. Prior to his time at Foxtel, he worked as both chief operating officer and CEO of News Corp Australia.
Industry veteran joins Audience Precision
Media strategy consultancy and technology business Audience Precision has appointed John La Rosa as its head of business development. La Rosa has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry and is the former general manager of client services (ANZ) for Roy Morgan Research. In that role, he was responsible for more than 250 advertising agencies and media companies in Australia, while also leading a team specialising in servicing agencies and advertisers worldwide. He also headed Roy Morgan’s New Zealand business. Previously, La Rosa worked in senior positions at Fairfax Media as National Sponsorship Manager, Reed Business Information Australia as Group Communication & Research Manager and Time Inc. as Group Marketing & Research Manager.
ARN CMO departs
Australian Radio Network (ARN) chief marketing officer Anthony Xydis is leaving the business after seven years. Xydis first joined the HT&E-owned business in 2013, and has been its CMO since 2016.
The Brag Media makes senior hires
Music publisher The Brag Media had added two new senior hires to its commercial team. Joel King joins as commercial lead, while Emma Greenhalgh steps into the role of senior brand partnerships manager. King previously founded music publication Musicfeeds and is the former managing director of Evolve Media in Australia. Greenhalgh previously worked at media agency Atomic212, where she led the NSW Government team working with departments such as Sydney Opera House, Rural Fire Service and NSW Police Force.
Quiip builds team
Social media and online community management specialist Quiip has appointed Venessa Paech and Amber Robinson as senior community consultants. Paech is a global leading community strategist and educator, who has led online community for organisations including Lonely Planet, REA Group and Australia Post. Robinson is a digital specialist with a background in journalism, digital strategy, content marketing and all aspects of social media. She has led some of Australia’s largest online communities for women, including Nine’s Essential Baby Network and forums and review website www.beautyheaven.com.au. She has also managed consumer and B2B social media for brands including Microsoft and Lenovo.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.