Another redundancy has been reported at IPG Mediabrands following a round of job losses earlier this year.
UM's chief operation officer Malcom Connor is going, his role now redundant. He will be leaving effective November 1, after 20 years with the agency.
Geoff Clarke is now the sole chief operating officer at IPG.
The departure of Connor was described as part of a "structural alignment across IPG Mediabrands" and the "centralisation of operations".
IPG, like many of its global peers, is expecting slower growth this year. The group's latest results, for the June quarter, showed growth in all regions except Asia-Pacific, which was down 2.4%.
The group posted "moderate" organic revenue growth of 1.7% for the June quarter but said net revenue was flat at $US2.33 billion.
The global advertising company expects full year organic revenue growth of 1%, damped by economic uncertainty.
Connor on LinkedIn said he was grateful for the journey and excited for the next chapter.
"After over 20 years at UM, it’s time for a change. Redundancy can feel like an abrupt ending, but I’m choosing to see it as the start of something new," he said.
"I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had here, opportunities that allowed me to grow, challenge myself, and advance my career.
"If there’s one lesson this journey has taught me, it’s this: It is all luck. Understanding that you cannot truly take credit for your own successes, nor truly blame others for your failures humbles you. It has made me compassionate.
"As I step into this new phase, I’m excited about what comes next, but for now, I’m taking a moment to breathe and reflect before the next challenge begins.
"Anyone else going through redundancy, my limited experience and advice is: Don’t rush. You don’t need to have your next move figured out just yet. Don’t panic. Many of us didn’t know we’d end up in media before we got here.
"You’ll sometimes be happy and sometimes be sad, so fill your life with learning as much as you can. Take pride in whatever you’re doing. Have compassion. Share ideas. Be enthusiastic."
Statement:
"UM Australia confirms that as part of a structural alignment across IPG Mediabrands, the role of UM COO has been closed. As a result, UM COO Malcom Connor will be leaving the business effective November 1.
"Anathea Ruys, CEO UM Australia said the structural alignment is part of a centralisation of operations at an IPG Mediabrands level, as the Group continues to work more closely together, and as tools, processes and operations across the Group become more standardised to enable agencies to effectively and efficiently scale their business."
Ruys said: “Malcom has been part of UM’s team for more than 20 years, including leading the Government team for 8 years and as MD of Sydney/Canberra for 4 years. He has been a wonderful colleague, offering his calm, thoughtful and insightful perspective on all number of topics that have influenced and shaped UM. Clients and colleagues alike respect him and he will be sorely missed. I am very sad Mal will be leaving and wish him all the very best in his next stage of his career. He will always be a friend of the agency and a friend of mine.”
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