Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week.
Bob Iger finally lets it go: Josh D’Amaro named Disney CEO
After years of speculation, boardroom maneuvering, and one ill-fated ‘Bob vs. Bob’ chapter, The Walt Disney Company has confirmed that Josh D’Amaro will succeed Bob Iger as Chief Executive Officer.
The Disney Board of Directors voted unanimously on Monday to appoint D’Amaro, currently the Chairman of Disney Experiences. He officially takes the reins on 18 March 2026.
‘It’s time to go’: ABC presenter James Valentine announces retirement
James Valentine has confirmed he will not return to ABC Radio following his latest round of cancer treatment, formally ending a 25-year run on 702 ABC Radio Sydney’s Afternoons program.
Valentine, 64, announced his decision during a brief return to the program today, revealing that health concerns mean he will not resume regular broadcasting.
Buzz Off: Phil Rothfield calls time on 50-year career
The Sunday morning breakfast ritual is about to get significantly less indigestion-inducing for NRL executives.
Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield, the man who turned the Sunday back page into a weekly referendum on the state of rugby league, is hanging up his notepad.
Sarah Harris to join Ricki-Lee and Tim for Nova Breakfast
Nova has confirmed that veteran journalist Sarah Harris will join Ricki-Lee & Tim when the duo take over the Sydney Breakfast shift next week, completing the on-air lineup as the resident newsreader.
The announcement was made on air during the team’s Drive show, and teased across several song breaks.
Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg moves to Nova Podcasts
NOVA Entertainment has announced that long-running Australian podcast Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg will join the Nova Podcast Network, effective immediately.
First launched in 2013, Better Than Yesterday has become one of Australia’s most established podcasts, building a loyal national audience through consistent, thoughtful conversations focused on personal development, mental fitness and everyday improvement.
Ryvalmedia Brisbane hires Jason Kendal as business director
Ryvalmedia Brisbane has appointed Jason Kendal as business director, as the digital-first agency looks to build on recent new business momentum and expand its local team.
The appointment was announced on 5 February, 2026 and is effective immediately. Kendal will work with clients across strategy, growth and delivery.
DoubleVerify appoints Robert Millett as Melbourne business director
DoubleVerify has formally entered the Victorian market, appointing former Starcom digital head Robert Millett as Business Director Melbourne, as the ad verification firm accelerates its expansion across Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The role marks DoubleVerify’s first hire in Victoria and gives the company a physical presence in Melbourne as it looks to deepen relationships with agencies and advertisers and drive growth in the local market.
Pinterest nabs Damian Kim as VP APAC enterprise sales
Pinterest has appointed Damian Kim as vice president, APAC enterprise sales.
Kim will join Pinterest at the end of February 2026 and report to Cécile van Steenberge, vice president, international enterprise sales.
Ex-IPG CFO John Clements joins JOY
JOY has appointed John Clements as chief finance officer.
He joins after 14 years at IPG, most recently as group CFO across Australia.
Clements succeeds Robyn Hayward, who is leaving to expand her remit with Singapore based in-housing agency MASH Brands.
The Noisy Collective appoints Natalia Muller as managing director, Sydney
The Noisy Collective has hired Natalia Muller as managing director, Sydney, marking the first major senior hire since the merger of Noisy Beast and iD Collective late last year.
Effective immediately, Muller’s appointment follows the consolidation of the group’s Sydney operations into a central CBD location on Carrington Street.
JCDecaux installs Angus Leech as national revenue chief
JCDecaux Australia has created a new national revenue role and appointed long-time media sales executive Angus Leech to fill it, a move designed to bring tighter coordination to how the Out-of-Home giant monetises a market that’s becoming more competitive, more data-driven and more central to advertiser strategy.
The company confirmed today that Leech has joined the business as National Director – Revenue, a newly created role that centralises revenue leadership across the group as it continues to scale its Australian footprint.
Ex-Porter Novelli veterans launch independent firm MGR&CO
Former Australian leaders from Porter Novelli have launched MGR&CO, a new independent communications and advisory firm focused on high-trust strategic counsel and hands-on delivery.
Founded by Arj Ganeshalingam, Patrick McClelland and Rhys Ryan, MGR&CO will provide full-service communications and advisory support to corporations, brands, non-profits and government agencies.
triple j appoints Claire Mooney as music director
triple j has promoted Claire Mooney to the newly created role of music director.
Mooney joined the station in 2017 as the Australian music producer at Unearthed. She became assistant music director in 2021 and was appointed Unearthed music director in 2025.
Omnicom appoints Stephanie Douglas-Neal as CEO of UM
Omnicom Media Australia has appointed Stephanie Douglas-Neal (Stevie) as CEO of media agency UM.
She returns to Omnicom after three years in a senior leadership role outside the network, following seven years at PHD Australia.
Bleav appoints Jonathan Dianora as VP of sales and revenue operations
Sports and entertainment production company Bleav has appointed Jonathan Dianora as vice president of sales and revenue operations.
He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s advertising partnerships and fuel the company’s revenue strategy as it continues to scale.
Saatchi & Saatchi appoints two ECDs
Saatchi & Saatchi Australia has appointed James Cowie as executive creative director and promoted Piero Ruzzene to the same role.
The newly created positions are effective immediately, reflecting the agency’s business momentum.