Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week.
Claire Fenner has resigned from her role as national chief executive officer of Atomic 212°, with her final day at the independent media agency on 31 October
A new national chief executive officer of Atomic 212° will be announced shortly.
She joined the independent media agency in 2014 as media director and later became Sydney general manager. Fenner was appointed Melbourne managing director in 2018 and national chief executive officer in February 2023.
Claire Fenner
Wesley Hawes will depart Innocean after four years as executive creative director at the end of the year to join creative agency 72andSunny, Sydney.
Jasmin Bedir, CEO of Innocean, said: “Wez and I had four amazing years together as a team. He is a lovely human, and we’ll of course miss him, but change is inevitable.
“We will make an announcement on our new creative leadership in due course,” she added.
Wesley Hawes
National Indigenous Television (NITV) has announced three new appointments to its commissioning team, as it increases its commitment and investment in original First Nations storytelling.
A proud Warlpiri, Warrumungu and Arrernte woman, Dena Curtis, will join in November as head of indigenous commissioning and production.
Curtis will be joined by Wiradjuri man Cieron Cody, coming on board as senior commissioning editor to drive NITV’s commissions slate across original scripted and unscripted content.
Joseph Meldrum, a Ghungalu writer, director, producer and production executive, was also appointed as commissioning editor.
Cieron Cody, Joseph Meldrum and Dena Curtis
Steve O’Connor will step down as CEO of JCDecaux Australia and New Zealand after 20 years with the company.
Chief commercial officer Max Eburne and chief financial officer David Watkins will now become co-CEOs.
Jean-François Decaux, co-chief executive officer of JCDecaux, said: “Steve’s leadership over the past 20 years has been integral to JCDecaux’s growth in Australia and New Zealand. His role in integrating APN Outdoor into our business was pivotal, and we are grateful for his contribution. He leaves behind a business well-positioned for the future.”
Ryan Haeusler
Ryan Haeusler joins Wavemaker in the newly created role of national head of communication and planning design, and will maximise creative opportunities within media across all Wavemaker clients.
Haeusler moves to the GroupM agency after nine years at Initiative, most recently as national head of communications design, where he notably spearheaded the LEGO media account.
His experience spans a wide range of categories, including financial services, entertainment, retail, pharma, automotive, FMCG and toys.
At Wavemaker, Haeusler will report to chief growth and product officer James Hier, and will be responsible for elevating the union of media and creativity in the agency’s strategic offering.
Talia Stone in pink, Zaneta Vincent in stripes, Heidi Kasselman in laptop, Jake Blood at top Lizzie Slattery in the back, Adrián Flores in white, Ant Phillips with the beard, and Anthony Cassidy in the bottom corner
Clemenger BBDO has made six appointments to its Melbourne-based team that include a mix of seasoned international leaders in response to recent growth at the creative agency as the team prepares to move to the Pink House on Little Collins early in the new year.
The hires include creative directors Heidi Kasselman and Anthony Cassidy and creative resource director Lizzie Slattery, along with rising local talents in senior creative Jake Blood, copywriter Talia Stone and art director Zaneta Vincent.
Brisbane radio station Nova 106.9 is the latest station to face going into the 2025 radio year with a new breakfast show after the revelation Susie O’Neill is leaving.
All morning the Ash, Luttsy and Susie O’Neill show has been teasing “Susie’s big announcement” which finally came at 8.20am Brisbane time.
Ash, Susie & Luttsy
After more than 10 years co-hosting Nova’s flagship breakfast show, Susie confirmed on-air this morning that she has decided to step down.
Delivering the news, Susie broke down in tears as she explained how the move to radio came at a critical time in her life.
“I do this with a very heavy heart, this decision wasn’t easy,” said O’Neill in a statement released to coincide with the on-air reveal.
“Ash and Luttsy are like brothers to me, they brought me into their world a little over a decade ago and they have always been my biggest supporters. We have formed an incredible bond over the years, which made this decision even harder. I’m proud to call them my friends, as I am the entire Nova breaky team.
“It’s hard for me to articulate exactly why I’m leaving. I think turning 50 last year I realised I’m at a whole new stage in my life. Our kids have grown up and I just feel the next chapter will see me pursue other goals, both professionally and personally.