Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week.
Former The Today Show weather presenter Stevie Jacobs.
You’d be hard pressed to find a nicer human in the Australian media industry than Stevie Jacobs. Many would be forgiven for thinking the zest and joy The former Today Show weatherman brought to his reports was all ‘put on’.
Spoiler alert: It’s not.
But, just because Jacobs is affable and open, doesn’t mean he isn’t selective when it comes to the projects he takes on. It’s this approach that has seen Jacobs cherry pick the roles he’s done over the past few years, or rather, the part-time roles, with “dad” the main focus for the 58-year-old.
That’s changed now with his “beautiful girls growing up” leading Jacobs to team-up with the Australian-founded, global news platform, LeadStory.
Alison Hurbert-Burns has announced she is stepping down from her role of commissioner and executive director, content at Foxtel.
Hurbert-Burns made the announcement on her LinkedIn page, writing: “And that’s a wrap… after 6 epic years, I made the decision late last year to tender my resignation from the Foxtel Group and have shared the news with my team this morning.
“I’m very thankful for the chance to work in the Australian and global television industry. It’s made up of some of my favourite people, brilliant minds and wonderful colleagues. We get to tell stories that make a lasting impact, to make ART and be part of our audiences lives if only for a moment in time.”
NBCUniversal (NBCU) has promoted Chris Taylor to the role of managing director, APAC, TV Distribution and International Networks & DTC.
In this expanded role, Taylor will retain his existing remit overseeing content sales/distribution, networks and DTC in Australia & New Zealand, extending responsibility for sales/distribution, networks and DTC, across Asia Pacific.
Mark Coad and Virginia Hyland
The Media Federation of Australia (MFA) has made key leadership changes for 2025, appointing Mark Coad as chair and re-electing Virginia Hyland, CEO of Havas Media Group, as deputy chair.
Coad steps into the role of chair following Peter Horgan’s decade-long tenure at the MFA. Horgan, who served five consecutive two-year terms, will remain on the board until his tenure at Omnicom Media Group concludes.
ThinkTV, the prominent industry body for Australian television, has announced the departure of CEO Kim Portrate, leaving the organisation’s future in question.
Having led ThinkTV since its establishment in 2016, Portrate’s exit comes at a time of significant changes within the Australian television sector and a wider push for improved collaboration across the industry.
Portrate, a seasoned industry veteran, has been a key figure in ThinkTV’s mission to advocate for broadcast television, particularly in an era of declining linear viewership and increasing competition from global digital platforms.
Two former Kyle and Jackie O Show producers have decided to enter the commercial sphere, teaming up and taking their extensive and particular skills set to create their own range of creative offerings for brands.
Both Pedro Cuccovillo Vitola and Joshua Fox have joined AIIMS Creator Hub – in a move they say will let them not only utilise their talents but also give them the freedom to explore their, at times, quirky ideas.
Kate O’Loughlin, James Boardman and Summer Treseder.
Wavemaker has welcomed the appointments of Summer Treseder and Kate O’Loughlin to the GroupM agency.
Treseder and O’Loughlin, who join from Initiative, step into the roles of associate strategy director and O’Loughlin as strategy director, respectively.
The Federal Government has appointed Georgina Somerset AM as the ABC Board’s Deputy Chair for a six-month stint, filling the vacancy left by Peter Tonagh’s resignation in December.
Tonagh stepped down from his role to join the board of Nine Entertainment Co. as an independent non-executive director.
oOh!Media has unveiled changes to its C-Suite that see its top people take on different roles in light of recent wins for the outdoor advertising company.
Neil Ackland and Bel Harper
Neil Ackland steps into the newly created role of chief retail media officer after five years as chief content, marketing, and creative officer.
In addition to Ackland’s new role, Bel Harper has been promoted from executive group director – product strategy.
DDB Group Melbourne has promoted head of planning Matt Pearce to the role of chief strategy officer.
He joined the Melbourne agency in 2021 and led strategy across the DDB, Mango and Tribal teams bringing his unique combination of understanding behaviour, insight and impactful creative strategy.
Catherine Naylor has joined The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age as World Editor, based in Sydney. Previously, she spent over two years as a Regional Affairs Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Paper Moose has expanded its creative team with the return of Jazz Twemlow in the role of senior creative copywriter.
Twemlow will team up with creative lead Claire Sutton to push the independent B-Corp and full-service creative agency’s trademark blend of hands-on craft with left-field ideas.
Angela Rogers and Casey Greig
Audience Group has welcomed the promotion of Angela Rogers as client services director and appointment of Casey Greig as head of strategy.
For Rogers, the promotion recognises her contribution over close to three years as account director of the independent media strategy and advertising services agency.
Meanwhile, Greig joins Audience Group with 17 years of media strategy and research experience, bringing a bold, forward-thinking approach. She was drawn to the agency because she shares the co-founders’ commitment to challenging the status quo and pushing the industry forward.
Together Roger and Greig will balance ambitious thinking with practical execution to deliver on clients’ business objectives.
Lucy Macken has been appointed Investigative Reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald, following 12 years as Prestige Property Reporter and Title Deeds Columnist.
Karan Kent
Foxcatcher has appointed Karan Kent as the APAC head of sales, reporting to managing director Marcus Betschel.
In the role, Karan will lead sales strategy for the RyanCap agency across the APAC region, focusing on building new and strengthening existing client relationships.
His brings a wealth of experience from his time at GumGum where he lead building partnerships and drove revenue growth. He also brings expertise in contextual advertise and data-driven marketing solutions.
Enero Group, a global marketing and technology agency network, has appointed Ian Ball to the newly created role of chief operating officer (COO), effective 17th February, 2025.
Ball brings over 40 years of international experience across consulting, technology, professional services, and private equity. He has held senior leadership positions in major organisations, including EY Oceania, where he served as deputy CEO and head of markets, overseeing a $1.4 billion business. His role at EY encompassed responsibilities in revenue generation, client management, business development, marketing, communications, and strategic acquisitions.
Charlie Ransom
KINESSO has appointed Charlie Ransom to the newly created role of national trading and operations lead, search.
Ransom will be responsible for leading the development and delivery of innovative Search best practice; and creating a robust L&D agenda across Search for the agency nationally.
Ed Bourke has stepped into the role of Sports Reporter at the Herald Sun. He previously covered sports for NewsWire for two years, following a cadetship at the Herald Sun in 2022.
Mindshare has promoted Elliott Eldridge to the role of national head of strategy. In the role, Eldridge will work with the wider strategy and planning team to drive the GroupM agency’s Good Growth agenda and deliver growth for clients He will also be responsible for how the strategy team goes beyond the brief and answers the more pertinent business tensions that marketers are now facing.
Eldridge steps into the national role with responsibility for Mindshare’s Melbourne and Sydney client base, after four years leading strategy for its Sydney office.
Elizabeth Whitehead has transitioned to Senior Writer at Australian Traveller, after more than two years as a Writer and Producer.
Left to right: Hayley Pyper, Lauren Easton, Sophie Walsh, Lisa Leicester, Nick Hurley and Erin Fletcher
OMG Australia made internal promotions to its specialist business unit, OMG Content, to support the growth and expansion servicing all the group’s agencies.
Sophie Walsh has been promoted to head of OMG Content Sydney, Hayley Pyper steps into the role of head of Shape, while Erin Fletcher moves into the role of head of Drum Sydney.
Nick Hurley has been elevated to head of Create Sydney – Partnerships, Lisa Leicester steps up as head of Create Sydney – Social & Innovation, as Lauren Easton is promoted to Head of Made.
Jack Baldwin has been appointed as the new head of media for Nibble Edge and will oversee media alignment, creative, and digital services to deliver seamless, high-impact work for clients.
He joins the creative agency from Athyna, Kaimera’s high growth bespoke agency which he launched. Baldwin was director of partnerships at Rufus where he oversaw Amazon’s paid media activities in Australia. He also held senior roles at DWA, and PHD, shaping media strategies for B2B, tech, FMCG and finance brands.
Sarah Cassell
Sarah Cassell, National AWARD School Winner, joins 303 MullenLowe Perth as its newly appointed art director.
She will oversee a range of clients within the agency’s portfolio including government, Lotterywest, St John and a range of other new business wins. She will work alongside copywriter Ellysia Burton.
Domain has announced the appointment of Greg Ellis as interim CEO, effective 17 February, while the company continues its search for a permanent leader.
Ellis, who previously led REA Group from 2008 to 2014 and more recently served as CEO of MYOB until 2023, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
He has been a member of Domain’s board since its spinout from Fairfax Media in 2017, making him well-acquainted with the company’s operations.
The Energy has named Charis Palmer as Editor-in-Chief ahead of its April launch. She was previously the Director and Founder of Banking Review Media and has held roles including Managing Editor of Careers with STEM, Editor of Business Spectator, Technology Spectator, and iTnews, as well as Chief of Staff and Head of Digital Strategy at The Conversation.