Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week.
Anita Zanesco and Dani Bassil
M+C Saatchi Group has named Anita Zanesco as its first Chief Marketing Officer, a newly created role across Australia and New Zealand.
Zanesco will work with Group ANZ CEO Dani Bassil and the leadership team across Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland.
She will lead growth strategy, drive new business and capabilities, and support existing clients in accessing the Group’s full offering spanning advertising, PR, social and influence, sports and entertainment, consulting, and production.
Dani Bassil, M+C Saatchi Group ANZ CEO, said: “Anita is part coach, part growth strategist, part client connector, her role will be entirely centred around strategic growth for M+C and I’m so happy she has agreed to join us on our mission moving forward.”
Zanesco said: “Dani is a fearless and phenomenally smart and talented leader who also happens to be one of the kindest, most generous humans on the planet, so I didn’t hesitate when she asked me to join the global push to embed growth in key markets.”
AKQA has promoted Rodney Greenfield to Executive Director of AI & Data, expanding his remit across Australia and New Zealand and joining the agency’s local leadership team.
Greenfield steps up from his role as Technical Director, where he led technology work on clients including Bunnings and spearheaded AI initiatives for Microsoft, Japan Airlines, and the building industry.
With more than 25 years’ experience across design, software development and technology leadership, Greenfield’s career has spanned graphic design, commercial software, and agency-side tech leadership.
Brittany Crowley
Brittany Crowley has been promoted from Head of Investment, Sydney to National Head of Investment of UM Australia.
In the new position, Crowley will lead UM’s investment team across all markets, working alongside the National Head of Media Planning to align trading and planning outcomes. She will also oversee consistency and innovation across the agency’s investment product.
Anathea Ruys, CEO UM Australia, said: “Britt is an incredible force in our business and since she joined UM, I have been so impressed by her nuanced approach to partnership and negotiations, her care for the people she works with, her commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for clients and her desire to make our media industry better and stronger.
“We need unquestionable quality at this level, and Britt delivers, so I am delighted she has taken on this important and expanded role and will continue to ensure UM delivers consistent quality with pioneering and precision-driving media execution.”
Frontier Media AI has appointed Olivier Vojetta, former Macquarie Bank strategist and author, as its new Head of Strategy and Growth.
The move supports the agency’s aim to integrate AI into marketing with a focus on business outcomes and board-level strategy.
Vojetta joins from experience agency Yakkazoo and previously worked as a derivatives trader in London. He has also authored seven books. He will oversee AI strategy and business development, applying his finance background to the agency’s AI-driven marketing model.
Frontier Media AI CEO Matt Hunt said: “He’s not here to hype AI. He’s here to use it better, smarter and more strategically. He embodies our vision of fusing advanced tech, proprietary data and 25 years of marketing expertise.”
Ebony Coatsworth, Rebekah Pickett, Shelley Friesen, Hannah Coombs
Melbourne Social Co (MSC) has promoted Hannah Coombs to Creative Director and Ebony Coatsworth to Head of Social Media.
Coombs, who joined MSC six years ago, has worked across account management, content creation and production, leading campaigns for brands including Lifely, Frank Green, Lululemon and Xero.
Coatsworth joined the independent creative agency less than a year ago, bringing experience in organic social strategy and platform trend forecasting. She has co-hosted Branding Personal and hosts Can I Buy You a Coffee?. At MSC, she recently delivered a 424% increase in Instagram engagement for Seamless in her first month.
Founder and director Shelley Friesen said the promotions support the agency’s growth and strengthen its creative and social leadership.
“Hannah’s creative vision and leadership skills have already had a big impact, and Ebony’s strategic insights and social expertise make her the perfect fit for Head of Social Media. Their passion and dedication to the agency make them the right choices to lead us into the future,” Shelley said.
Prophet has expanded its Growth division with the appointment of Claudia Kidd as Strategic Growth Lead, following a period of strong new business growth.
Kidd will be responsible for driving high-value growth opportunities, with a focus on media agency relationships, enterprise brand targeting and advertising growth. She will report to Chief Growth Officer, Paul Veltman.
Kidd said of her appointment: “As Strategic Growth Lead, my focus is on unlocking growth across the media agency landscape – from global holding groups to ambitious independents – and driving real value for advertisers in high-impact sectors like retail, finance, insurance, utilities, automotive, FMCG, ecommerce and technology.
“My aim is to elevate the already incredible and complex work that agencies and brands do, replacing ‘what if’ with ‘here’s how’ and giving them the power to make smarter, faster and bolder decisions. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”
Strategic communications consultancy Sound Story has expanded its team with a series of senior hires and an internal promotion, strengthening its corporate, consumer and reputation management capabilities across three cities.
Kate McCabe has been appointed Strategic Communications Lead. She joins from the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, where she worked as Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications, overseeing high-stakes issues and whole-of-government strategy.
In Brisbane, Nick Price has been appointed Corporate Communications Specialist. Price has more than a decade of agency experience, including roles at SGC Media, The Red Republic, IVY PR and Bespoken Agency.
The consultancy has also confirmed the additions of Melbourne-based Geoff Cope-Watts as Senior Communications Specialist and Sydney-based Brooke Boland as Consumer Communications Specialist.