GroupM, the media investment management group of WPP AUNZ, has announced the appointment of Rosie Baker to the role of group communications director.
Baker is known to most of the media, marketing, and advertising industry as editor of AdNews.
It was in that capacity that Baker recently enjoyed a long lunch on Woolloomooloo Wharf with GroupM CEO Mark Lollback and group marketing director Greg Graham. Exactly two weeks after the afternoon at China Doll, GroupM has announced Baker’s new role.
At GroupM Baker will take on responsibility for group PR and marketing, as well as bringing an editorial focus to GroupM’s internal and external communications. She will work closely with GroupM’s senior leadership team and report to Mark Lollback.
Lollback commented today: “Rosie is a highly respected editor and journalist in our industry and it’s brilliant to have someone of Rosie’s calibre joining the group. Rosie will take our communications strategy to a new level and promote the group with compelling stories that cut through in the marketplace. I’m personally very excited to have Rosie as part of the GroupM family.”
Baker relocated from London to join AdNews as marketing editor in 2013 and was promoted to editor in October 2014.
Baker said: “Moving to Australia to join AdNews changed my life and I’ve loved every challenge it’s thrown my way. After nearly five years at AdNews it’s time to take on a new challenge. I’m looking forward to using my journalistic background to better communicate GroupM’s values, vision and purpose to internal and external stakeholders.”
James Yaffa, AdNews publisher, said: “Rosie has been instrumental in the development and success of AdNews across all platforms. More importantly she has created and fostered a terrific team culture and is one of the most professional colleagues that I have had the pleasure of working with.
“Under her leadership, AdNews has expanded its event offering, reinvigorated the role of the magazine and produced significant digital growth.
“On a personal level we will all miss Rosie, a bundle of enthusiasm and energy who always strives for excellence, and I wish her every success at GroupM.”
At AdNews, digital editor Pippa Chambers has been promoted to editor and senior journalist Arvind Hickman takes on the new role of news editor while Lindsay Bennett becomes online editor.
Top photo: AdNews team [L-R] – Pippa Chambers, Lindsay Bennett, Rosie Baker and Arvind Hickman