Initiative’s Shane Goninon departing after 36 years

Goninon started his career in Melbourne in 1981 at MP&M

Shane Goninon

Initiative Melbourne announced yesterday investment partnership director Shane Goninon is stepping away from his 36-year career in media strategy and investment to concentrate on developing his family winery business.

Goninon started his career in Melbourne in 1981 at MP&M, which later became Mitchell & Partners, and will leave full-time duties with Initiative at the end of August.

Across his career he has worked on major clients such as Ansett, Coles, Dunlop and Pacific Brands. For the past 16 years he has led the media portfolio for major Initiative client Bunnings and has also been a senior member of the Initiative Melbourne leadership team.

As Goninon prepares to depart Initiative, Heath Wooster has been named general manager for Initiative’s Bunnings business.

Chairman of IPG Mediabrands Melbourne Mark Pejic said, “Thirty-six is a big number in any career and we congratulate Shane on this achievement. Add to this his leadership of the Bunnings business for the past 16 years and we have a picture of a media executive who has transcended a total revolution in media’s role and effectiveness in the work we do for clients.”

About three years ago Goninon bought Mountainside Wines in The Grampians in Victoria and has been working on the business since with his wife Jane and daughter Kate.

Goninon said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the successes and challenges of my media career and in particular my long spell with Initiative. Running the winery is a very different type of work and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do with the business.”

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