Publicis Groupe ANZ has promoted Imogen Hewitt to the new position of chief media officer in Australia and New Zealand.
The creation of the role comes following three years of growth and momentum across the ANZ media agencies at Publicis, according to RECMA figures. Agencies include Zenith and Starcom in Australia, MBM in New Zealand and Spark Foundry ANZ.
Hewitt has been CEO of Spark Foundry Australia for the past four years and has seen the agency more than double in size since 2020. She expanded her remit to include Spark Foundry New Zealand last year.
Matt Turl, currently chief operating officer at Spark Foundr, is promoted to CEO. He and Spark Foundry New Zealand MD, Nicky Greville, will continue to report to Hewitt.
“At Publicis, I have seen how the power of great agency brands working in a connected way fuels incredible innovation, nurtures brilliant people and builds sustained success for clients," says Hewitt.
"The media agencies within our Groupe are powerhouses in their own right, so the opportunity to work alongside their leaders to push ourselves, our product and our results even further is enormously exciting.”
Hewitt takes on her new role in January, while continuing to lead Spark Foundry ANZ.
Michael Rebelo, Publicis Groupe ANZ CEO, says the appointment is a commitment to continuing to build and elevate best-in-class media, data, analytics and investment outcomes.
"She will partner with our media CEOs to scale the effective solutions and processes that already exist within our Groupe to ensure the continued growth and development of our client offering," says Rebelo.
Hewitt will also connect into the Publicis Media global community led by Global CEO, Talia Raviv, to further support global clients and new business pitches relevant to the ANZ market.
Hewitt is the third group ANZ practice lead to be appointed, following the appointment of Publicis Groupe ANZ’s chief data officer, Maurice Riley, and chief creative officer, Dave Bowman.
“In bringing together the unique skillsets of Imogen across strategy and media, Maurice leading data and Dave on the creative front, we are well placed to continue to drive our connected proposition in market and deliver end-to-end marketing transformation for our clients," says Rebelo.
On Turl’s promotion, Hewitt says: “Matt has been an incredible partner to me, and a brilliant leader at Spark Foundry. He is supremely professional and a source of both wisdom and considered calm for our people, partners and clients alike. It is a great pleasure to see him elevated into a role he so clearly deserves.”
Turl says: “Spark Foundry’s sustained success over the last four years has been achieved through a combination of Imogen’s drive, intellect and good humour; the strength and stability of the leadership team, and our connectivity to the Groupe. For me, the succession plan we have executed reflects the maturity of our business, and a collective belief that greater opportunities and achievements lie ahead for our clients, our people and our partners.”
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