dentsu has announced a simplification of its Australian media business, bringing its media brands together under one united dentsu proposition.
The move has been designed to respond to what the agency group said brands are increasingly asking for: clearer accountability, greater scale, and agency partners who can connect the right talent to the right brief.
The global agency brands Carat and iProspect will continue to be activated for global and regional clients as needed, while all local business will now be serviced as dentsu.
Rob Harvey on the structure
Rob Harvey, Chief Executive Officer of dentsu ANZ, said the change is a deliberate structural move to create a more connected business.
“Uniting our media capability under a single brand creates clearer accountability, greater scale and a more compelling proposition for clients,” Harvey said.
“It’s the right structure for where dentsu is heading, and the right move for the Australian market.”
New state leadership model
Under the new model, dentsu’s media capability will be led by a single Managing Director in each state.
All state Managing Directors will report to Chris Ernst, Chief Practice Officer, Media.
As part of the change, Richard Lehocz has been appointed Managing Director, Media in Victoria, overseeing all of dentsu’s end-to-end media services in the market.
The business will also recruit for a new Managing Director, Media for New South Wales.
All other state leaders remain unchanged.
Chris Ernst on the shift
Ernst said the model is designed to create growth opportunities for dentsu’s people, partners and broader industry network.
“This move shapes the future of our agency and creates growth opportunities for all those who intersect with it, from our people, our partners and our industry.
“Under this model, we will move faster, collaborate more effectively and deliver better outcomes in each market.
“We have remarkable people and capability across the business, and I’m excited to see them thrive under this new direction,” said Ernst.
The change is specific to the Australian market and will be implemented in phases over the coming months.
Dentsu loss widens
dentsu Australia has reported a wider annual loss for 2025, despite reducing staff costs and receiving further financial support from its Japan-based parent company.
According to financial statements lodged with ASIC, the local group recorded revenue of A$196 million for the year. Its loss increased to A$76.9 million, up from A$63.9 million a year earlier.
The accounts point to another difficult year for the Australian arm of the global agency group, with revenue declining and losses deepening.
Top Image: Chris Ernst and Rob Harvey