inc. Digital Media CEO Loan Morris has announced that she will be leaving the agency to return to her native France with her family.
Morris has been with inc. for more than five years and was appointed CEO in April last year. She will leave the agency in November.
Replacing Morris as Managing Director is Claire O’Connor, the former APAC Vice President Retail and Licensing at ViacomCBS Networks International in Singapore, a role she has held for five years.
“I have made the difficult decision to move back to France with my family after 17 years living in Australia. I am leaving the business in a great position with strong foundations, an amazing culture and people and a bright future,” Morris said.
“I will remain with inc. until November to ensure a smooth and planned transition of the role. Claire comes to inc. with outstanding credentials working with media organisations and brings valuable skills to our team and clients and we will work closely until my departure.”
Mediaweek spoke to Morris earlier this year which you can read here: iNC Digital Media CEO on life as an indie after HT&E sale
Merchantwise Group CEO, Alan Schauder, said: “Loan has been a key part of inc’s success and growth over the past five years and oversaw the successful move of the agency from ARN to Impulse Screen Media and the Merchantwise Group in 2020. She has brought great passion, integrity, and leadership to the business. While we are disappointed to see her go, we fully support her decision to move home to France to spend more time with her family. At the same time, we welcome Claire O’Connor to our team and feel confident that she will be an outstanding leader for the business.”
O’Connor has 30 years’ experience in the media sector and has worked in marketing roles for BBC Worldwide and Paramount Pictures and was Director, Consumer Products ANZ for Nickelodeon. In her most recent role with ViacomCBS, O’Connor led the franchise, digital ad retail marketing strategy for consumer products and led media and licensing agencies in APAC.
Commenting on her new role, O’Connor said: “It’s an honour to be joining inc. Digital Media at this exciting and dynamic time for the Australian digital marketing industry. I’m thrilled to be working with such a talented and professional team at inc. as well as the broader Merchantwise Group.”
O’Connor joins inc on September 20.
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Top Photo: Loan Morris and Claire O’Connor