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.
Sophie Madden, CEO of the MFA, said: “Our industry remains strong and resilient, and that’s a testament to the leadership of the MFA Board. “I look forward to working alongside Mark and Virginia as we continue to tackle the key challenges and opportunities shaping our industry’s future.”
Coad said: “Our business model is being stretched into new areas, new deal structures are emerging, and our contractual relationships with clients are undergoing fundamental shifts.
“Now more than ever, we must remain dedicated to the things that matter to ensure our industry continues to shine.”
Hyland, added: “The We Are The Changers EVP has played a crucial role in uniting our dynamic industry, elevating the work we do for clients, and fostering a diverse talent pool. I am honoured to be re-elected deputy chair and look forward to continuing to drive forward the opportunities that make our industry great.”
The MFA is set to continue its impactful initiatives in 2025, including the launch of the Psychosocial Safety Industry Code of Conduct to foster safe and supportive workplaces across the media and marketing supply chain. The highly anticipated return of the MFA Awards and MFA EX event in September, which previously attracted over 2,500 attendees, is also on the horizon. Additionally, the MFA will continue its work to promote sustainable industry practices through the adoption of Ad Net Zero principles.
The MFA Board
The MFA Board is made up of a talented group of industry leaders committed to the success and transformation of the media industry. The full Board includes:
• Sophie Madden, CEO, MFA
• Aimee Buchanan, CEO, GroupM ANZ
• Mark Coad, CEO, IPG Mediabrands Australia (chair)
• Virginia Hyland, CEO, Havas Media Group (deputy chair)
• Peter Horgan, CEO, Omnicom Media Group ANZ
• Megan Brownlow, Non-executive Director
• Imogen Hewitt, CEO, Spark Foundry
• Peter Vogel, CEO, Wavemaker ANZ
• Michael Rebelo, CEO, Publicis Groupe ANZ
• Jimmy Hyett, CEO & Founder, This Is Flow
• Mark Jarrett, CEO, PHD Australia
• Sarah Keith, Managing Director, Involved Media
• Fiona Johnston, CEO, Dentsu
• Anathea Ruys, CEO, UM Australia