Mediaweek’s Media Movers tracks the latest leadership changes and appointments across the media and marketing sectors, spotlighting the industry’s key influencers as they take on new roles, pursue new ventures, and bring fresh perspectives to their companies. This week, we highlight a mix of veteran talent and emerging leaders, from Ray Hadley’s retirement at 2GB to senior appointments in agencies, entertainment, and data strategy roles across Australia and New Zealand.
Ray Hadley, a veteran of Australian radio, announced his retirement to 2GB listeners on Thursday. He told listeners that December 13 will be his last day broadcasting.
Hadley said: “My own four children made many sacrifices for me over the years, allowing me to realise my ambitions, and I want to spend more time with them and my seven grandchildren. Sophie has been the most supporting, calming, loving and amazing wife – and she deserves a break too!
“I’ve had the ride of my life at 2GB for more than 23 years, firstly under the ownership of John Singleton and more recently with Nine Entertainment and Nine Radio. I leave the network with me owing 2GB everything for my success and longevity. I wish all my colleagues continued success.”
A new host for the 2GB Morning Program will be announced in due course.
Ray Hadley
Lisa Squillace has been appointed head of GroupM Motion Entertainment for Australia and New Zealand.
Squillace, who joins the company from Network Ten Paramount, will head up the media investment group’s Motion Entertainment division. She will be tasked with co-developing, co-producing, distributing premium content, and delivering bespoke brand opportunities.
GroupM Motion Entertainment is GroupM’s global entertainment division, headquartered in London and Los Angeles, and operating in over 35 countries worldwide. It has co-produced more than 2,100+ TV series and films in partnership with world’s leading talent, networks, and platforms.
ADMA director of regulatory and advocacy Sarla Fernando has announced news of her departure from the industry body in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday. Fernando said it was an “incredible honour to serve and represent the data-driven marketing and advertising community in so many meaningful ways.
ADMA CEO Andrea Martens thanked Fernando for her dedication to the role and Privacy and Compliance in the Australian marketing industry over the years, calling her a “powerhouse” and “instrumental” to championing responsible marketing to help build and retain customer trust.
Lisa Squillace
Publicis Groupe has confirmed the departure of Nick Keenan as CEO of Starcom Australia.
In a statement to Mediaweek, Publicis Groupe ANZ CEO Michael Rebelo said: “After four and a half years, Nick Keenan has departed from his role as CEO of Starcom Australia. On behalf of the Groupe in ANZ, I would like to thank Nick for his contributions and wish him all the best for the future.”
AFL chief executive officer Andrew Dillon has announced Rebecca Haagsma as the AFL’s new executive general manager customer and commercial.
Haagsma is currently the chief product and technology officer at Nine Entertainment and will commence at the AFL in February 2025, after relocating from Sydney to Melbourne with her husband Paul.
Haagsma replaces another former TV executive, Kylie Rogers, who stepped away from the sporting body after seven years earlier in 2024. Rogers was recently appointed CEO of the Victorian Racing Club. Before her time with the AFL, Rogers worked as head of commercial at both Network 10 and Mamamia.
Paul Hutchison
Paul Hutchison, chief executive officer of Bohemia Australia, has announced he will be stepping down from his role at the media agency.
An M&C Saatchi spokesperson told Mediaweek: “After careful consideration, Paul Hutchison has made the personal decision to return to the UK. Paul has been a valued member of the Bohemia and M&C Saatchi family, contributing significantly during his time with us.
“We respect his decision and are grateful for his passion and dedication. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. A search is currently underway for his replacement.”
Journalist Sally Sara has been announced as the new presenter of Radio National Breakfast in 2025, with audiences hearing the news on the program this morning from outgoing presenter Patricia Karvelas.
Sara has reported from more than 40 countries as an ABC foreign correspondent, including across Africa, Iraq, India and Afghanistan, and worked for Landline and Foreign Correspondent. She has extensive experience in audio journalism and since 2020 has been presenter of The World Today.
Paul McMillan, Ant Keogh and Michael Derepas
The Monkeys Melbourne has confirmed the departures of CEO Paul McMillan, CCO Ant Keogh and CSO Michael Derepas after seven years with the agency.
A spokesperson told Mediaweek: “We can confirm that Ant Keogh, Paul McMillan and Michael Derepas are departing The Monkeys, and we wish them all the best for their future endeavours.”
McMillan, Keogh and Derepas joined the Accenture Song creative agency from Clemenger BBDO Melbourne in 2017.
Rory Heffernan has been appointed as chief executive officer of Atomic 212°, effective 1 November.
Heffernan, who has been Atomic 212°’s national managing director for over two years, will succeed Claire Fenner who resigned earlier this month and leaves the independent media agency on 31 October.
He was the first employee of Atomic 212°, joining the Sydney office in 2010 before moving to Melbourne in 2014 to lead digital operations and client relationships. Heffernan was then appointed general manager of the Melbourne office in 2019 before stepping up to the national managing director role in February 2022.
Julie Wright, Rochelle Burbury, Leigh Fenech
Third Avenue Consulting has appointments of Julie Wright as managing director and Leigh Fenech as consultant.
Consultancy principal Rochelle Burbury said the new roles will enable Third Avenue to bring the best of senior expertise and experience to its clients in the media, advertising, marketing, ad tech and research sectors, as the company continues to grow.
The Australian Traffic Network (ATN), has appointed of former Nine group business director, Heidi Sayers, as NSW sales director – a newly created role under national sales director Karen Holmes.
With more than 20 years of experience across leading media companies, Sayers will drive agency and direct sales in the key Sydney market ahead of ATN’s major relaunch later this month.
Seven has announced the departure of Rachel Page as digital sales director.
A Seven spokesperson told Mediaweek the company wishes her success for the future. “Rachel has made a great contribution to Seven since she joined us in May 2023,” they said.
“We are building and evolving our digital sales team to capitalise on and enhance the ongoing growth of 7plus and our other digital brands. In early September, we announced the appointment of Jordan King. He starts with us on 4 November as national digital sales director.”
Marty Sheargold
Triple M has confirmed its drive show lineup for 2025. As expected there will now only be two drive programs across the vast Triple M national network.
In a surprise development, Marty Sheargold has made a bold comeback…at least in the northern states.
After a not-so successful stint in Melbourne breakfast, the radio veteran is being moved back to his traditional radio home – the drive show.
Sheargold will fill the 4-6pm drive slot in Sydney and Brisbane, while continuing to deliver an one hour show from 3pm nationally across the Triple M network.
Triple M listeners in southern states where AFL is king will receive the JB and Billy drive show with James Brayshaw and Bill Brownless.
Forethought has appointed Sacha Cody as chief operating officer of BrandComms.AI, the company’s generative AI platform for effective advertising. It has also promoted Sheona Bello to chief client officer of BrandComms.AI.
Cody joins Forethought from Crown Resorts, where he was group general manager of brand strategy and insights at Crown Resorts.
Diana Ilinkovski
Stan’s chief marketing officer Diana Ilinkovski has resigned from the streaming company.
A Stan spokesperson told Mediaweek: “Stan can confirm that Diana Ilinkovski has resigned from her position as CMO to spend time with her family.
“Stan will soon commence a recruitment process.”
Mediaweek understands that Monday, 28 October was Ilinkovski’s last day in the office, but will be available for handover arrangements for a period of time.
Alt/shift/ has announced the appointment of two general managers to oversee the independent creative communications agency Melbourne and Brisbane offices.
Samantha Razzell (nee Gale) will oversee the team in Victoria as Priscilla Jeha joins the Queensland office, while current staff are on maternity leave.
Malcom Connor, the outgoing chief operating officer of UM Australia, has thanked the agency and Mediabrands for his two-decade long career with a heartfelt message.
In a LinkedIn post on Friday, he said: “Farewell. Many people, after being made redundant, find it difficult to say nice things about the company they’re leaving, but I can’t do that.
“A company is made up of people, not spreadsheets and data points. I cannot say unkind things about the people at UM and Mediabrands. They have been (and will continue to be) my colleagues and friends. They have supported me in my growth, and for that (and much more), I am forever grateful.
Connor’s departure from UM Australia comes as part of the agency’s structural alignment across IPG Mediabrands.
Dean La Rosa
News Corp Australia has appointed Dean La Rosa to the newly created role of general manager, commercial data.
La Rosa will spearhead the next phase of growth for News’ in-house data science capabilities to elevate the company’s audience intelligence platform, Intent Connect.
He most recently worked at the Seven Network as head of commercial data and programmatic, and prior to that at Nine Entertainment and Acxiom. La Rose will sit within the free news & lifestyle division led by managing director and publisher, Pippa Leary.
Full service agency Apparent has appointed Hamish Stewart in the newly created role of chief creative and experience officer to elevate and grow the agency’s integrated offering.
Stewart is the agency’s latest senior appointment, following the earlier additions of Simon Pugh as chief media officer in June and Jason Hill as chief strategy officer in December.
He previously served as the national executive creative director of experience at CHEP Network. He has also held senior positions at R/GA Sydney, M&C Saatchi, and GHO.
Jo Rose
Endeavour Group, the retail drinks and hospitality business, has revealed changes to its group executive leadership team.
Chief marketing officer Jo Rose will exit Endeavour after three years to spend time closer to her family in the United Kingdom. Rose has led the marketing and customer teams since joining the business shortly after demerger, coming to Australia nearly nine years ago originally to join Woolworths.
Ilana Stringer will step down as chief strategy and transformation officer in February after more than three years with Endeavour and five years with Woolworths prior to demerger.
Rose and Stringer will both continue in their roles in the business until the second quarter of the next calendar year.
Quiip, the social media and online community management specialists, have appointed three new senior hires and an expanded service offering.
Kelly McParlane and Luke de Zilva join as team leads, bringing their expertise to guide the company’s clients, as Dr Alison Milfull returns to the company as the new marketing and business development director, strengthening Quiip’s leadership as the company navigates the next phase of growth.
TrinityP3 – Anton Buchner, Dr Kate Gunby, Adrian Treahy
TrinityP3 has unveiled senior promotions and appointments to the marketing management and pitch consultancy in response to the rising demand for advanced data, analytics, and ad tech expertise.
Anton Buchner has been promoted to business director, as Dr Kate Gunby and Adrian Treahy join to help the consultancy.
CommBank and Medium Rare have appointed Andrew Robertson to the newly created role of head of sales for CommBank Connect. He brings more than 15 years of experience across media and retail networks to the role and has worked for the country’s largest out-of-home and audio providers, and joins from Cartology.
Robertson said: “Through CommBank Connect, the converging worlds of physical in-branch communications and advanced digital experiences, unlock a cohesive canvas for engaging our customers at scale.
“Underpinned by our industry-leading targeting and measurement capabilities and Medium Rare’s expertise in content creation and activation, we’re ensuring our partner brands show up with more relevance, fit for our customers, in an environment they trust,” he added.
News Corp Australia managing director, commercial content, Mike Connaghan, said: “Helping iconic brands build powerful and engaged audiences through content is in our DNA.
“Providing clients with sales strategy and enablement, to attract both endemic and non-endemic partners to their owned or retail media network, represents our next ambition of growth. Attracting the level of talent and standout expertise of Andy Robertson as Head of Sales, gives us great confidence our growth will continue apace”
Andrew Robertson
Storm Day has been appointed as the New Zealand lead of Accenture Song and CEO of The Monkeys Aotearoa, soon to become Droga5.
Day has led The Monkeys Aotearoa, part of Accenture Song, and the Song New Zealand Marketing Practice since she joined in early 2022. The Monkeys Aotearoa was started in New Zealand by Damon Stapleton and Justin Mowday in 2021.
With Mowday now at the helm of Accenture New Zealand, Day has taken over the reins of Accenture Song and The Monkeys Aotearoa.
Activation Union has promoted Bianca Ellershaw to the newly created position of head of live as the activation-led marketing agency growth trajectory continues.
In the role, she will drive production and live events capability, driving innovation and excellence in experiential marketing.
Stepping into Ellershaw’s previous role is KT Leslie has recently joined the agency as senior account director, where she will spearhead the Diageo account and oversee all retail marketing initiatives.
KT Leslie, Rosie Carter, Bianca Ellershaw