Boomtown has appointed Andrew ‘Billy’ Baxter as its new Chairman to lead the media industry collective representing the 9.9 million people living in regional Australia.
Baxter has held senior leadership roles in marketing and communications, including CEO positions at Publicis and Ogilvy, where he oversaw campaigns such as AAMI’s Rhonda and Ketut and Coca-Cola’s Share a Coke.
He has worked with many of Australia’s largest companies, brands and government bodies, and currently holds a number of board and advisory roles, including Chair of Australian Pork, Deputy Chair at Foresters Financial and Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Non-Executive Director at OzHarvest, and Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the University of Sydney.
Baxter is also active in industry discussions on marketing and media through writing and speaking engagements. His recognition includes LinkedIn’s Top 40 Australian influencers, Campaign magazine’s Top 5 Agency Leaders in Australia and New Zealand, and the Australian Marketing Institute’s Sir Charles McGrath Award.
He succeeds Boomtown’s inaugural Chairman, Brian Gallagher, who held the role from the collective’s inception until June 2025.
Baxter said of his appointment: “Regional Australia is home to 36% of our population, people who earn and spend close to the same as those in our major cities, yet media investment lags by around half in those markets.
“Through my other roles, I have seen first-hand in the last 12 months how many of these regional cities are thriving – whether that be Newcastle, Geelong, Toowoomba, Canberra, Bendigo, Wollongong, the Gold Coast or Albury Wodonga.
“It’s exciting to join the Boomtown team and help them on their journey to levelling out that media spend by highlighting the power of regional advertising.”
The Boomtown collective said: “We are delighted to announce Andrew ‘Billy’ Baxter as Boomtown’s new Chairman.”
“Andrew is one of the nation’s most experienced media executives. He is incredibly well-versed in the national advertising landscape and is renowned for his strategic thinking, creativity and commitment to effective and standout brand campaigns.
“He has long been a passionate advocate for regional Australia and regional media and maintains a deep understanding of the power of regional marketing through some of his current board and advisory roles.
“Andrew is also forward thinking and business minded. He is well-placed to lead the Boomtown collective into the future, particularly as we navigate the impact of ever-evolving technology and AI on the market and is dedicated to equipping marketers with the tools to make buying and trading campaigns in Boomtown easier than ever.
“His thought leadership and expertise in marketing technology will be critical in shaping Boomtown’s next phase.”