‘Clients and colleagues alike respect him’: Malcom Connor departs UM after two decades as IPG Mediabrands ‘centralises operations’

UM Australia - Malcom Connor

Anathea Ruys: “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.”

Malcom Connor will depart UM Australia after 20 years as part of the agency’s structural alignment across IPG Mediabrands.

Anathea Ruys, CEO of UM Australia, explained that the structural alignment is part of the 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 in a statement: “Malcom has been part of UM’s team for more than 20 years, including leading the Government team for eight 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,” she added.

Connor first joined UM Australia’s Canberra office in 2004 as group director, where he led the development of media campaigns for the Australian Government.

In 2010, he was promoted to the role of managing director, Canberra and oversaw the overall leadership of the Australian Government Master Media Account.

The following year, he managing director role was expanded to include the Sydney office of UM Australia, during which time he led its transformation and repositioning as to the “creative connections agency” in 2014.

In 2015, he was appointed as chief operating officer of the IPG Mediabrands agency, leading the company through a respectful, constructive, and collaborative style.

As COO, he ensured that UM had the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems in place to drive the business’ growth and ensure its financial strength and operating efficiency.

As part of the media agency’s structural alignment, UM has appointed Brittany Crowley as head of investment, Sydney back in July.

Top image: Malcom Connor

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