Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week.
Dave Cameron
After more than 30 years at the helm, Southern Cross Austereo’s (SCA) Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron, will be leaving the company.
The announcement was made by SCA CEO John Kelly in an email sent to all staff on Monday afternoon.
In the email, which was obtained by Mediaweek, Kelly acknowledged Cameron’s decades-long contribution to the company, praising a career that spans more than 30 years and multiple roles across the network.
“Dave’s journey with SCA has seen him build an exceptional career that has spanned more seasons, markets and roles than anyone else in the company’s history – from an on-air announcer to senior management and everything in between,” Kelly wrote.
“No matter his role, Dave has always brought a relentless passion for the medium of radio, a clear brand of strong leadership and an undeniable skill in identifying new and upcoming talent.”
Virginia Hyland and James Wright
Virginia Hyland has broken her silence on her departure from Havas, sharing her pride in her accomplishments in her time with the holding company, as James Wright, CEO of Havas Creative Network ANZ, has been appointed to take on the role of Havas Group CEO ANZ.
Hyland’s exit from the holding co last week follows the completion of the buy-out period after the acquisition of her independent agency, Hyland Media, in 2020.
Wright, who has been with Havas for the past 14 years, is stepping into the Group CEO ANZ role after returning to Australia in 2023.
He will also continue to drive transformation as Global CEO for Havas Red and Global Chair of the Havas PR Network, based in Sydney.
Carly Yanco has been promoted to Chief Marketing Office of ING Australia.
The financial institution confirmed the promotion which came into effect this month. Yanco first joined the bank’s marketing team as head of brand in 2019.
In 2023 she stepped up as acting Head of Marketing, Brand & Stakeholder Relations for one year. Yanco was promoted to Chief of Staff in 2024.
Yanco’s appointment to Chief Marketing Office comes after Danielle Hamilton exited the position earlier this year after three years to the role.
Ben McCallum
Ben McCallum has been appointed General Manager, Media at cummins&partners following his recent exit from UM Sydney as Managing Director.
He will oversee the indie agency’s media product across Australia.
McCallum brings over two decades of experience to cummins&partners as the agency brings together its media, creative, strategy, and PR offerings.
His previous role as Managing Director of UM Sydney was made redundant after three years in the position.
Australian comedy duo Jack Steele and Matt Ford, best known for sketching as The Inspired Unemployed, have signed with global agency IMG Talent.
The move comes as they look to build on their 4 million plus followers and growing entertainment empire.
Steve Sos has exited from his role as Managing Director APAC for Vevo after five years with the company.
Replacing Sos is Tim O’Connor, Head of Sales APAC. O’Connor will step into the role of General Manager APAC.
In a statement to Mediaweek, Vevo spokesperson said: “Tim O’Connor, has been promoted to lead Vevo’s APAC operations, following his successful tenure as Head of APAC Sales.
“Steve Sos is no longer with the business, and has left to pursue other interests. We thank him for his important contributions and wish him well.
“With Tim’s extensive experience his appointment ensures strong continuity for our clients and partners across the region.”
Brendan Dowling and Frazer Cromley
Mindbox is cementing its presence in Australia and the APAC region with the senior appointments of Brendan Dowling and Frazer Comley.
The independent consultancy has 25 years of experience in solutions for digital marketing and media services, including strategy, media, consulting, insight and analytics, technology, and customer experience.
Dowling joins the team as Head of Data and Platforms from Dentsu, where he was Head of Product, while Comley steps into the role of Client Partner from his previous role as Product & Technology Lead at Wavemaker.
The Media Store has appointed senior strategy and marketing leader Tanvi Singh as its new Head of Strategy and Planning.
In the role, she will help solve client business objectives through strategy, data and insights. Singh will be responsible for reviewing and innovating current client strategies, while also overseeing new business pitching.
She brings 14 years of global experience to the independent media agency, having worked across Australia, Southeast Asia and India, to drive effectiveness for leading brands in banking, fintech, retail and FMCG sectors.
Connecting Plots has launched its digital and media offering to be led Inez Zimakowski in the role of Head of Digital & Media.
She brings more than a decade of experience to the role spanning in-house and agency roles across the fashion, automotive, and retail sectors, including Hyundai, Oroton and Edge.
Her remit will include building a holistic performance and media offering for the agency, encompassing full digital and media audits, analytics and reporting, campaign and always-on media implementation, CRM strategy and deployment, website UX and customer experience.
Christa Muller
Brisbane digital marketing agency Cymbal has appointed Christa Muller to lead its organic social media and influencer marketing services as Senior Account Manager.
She brings more than eight years of experience in digital marketing and brand strategy, most recently spending three and a half years at agency, With Christie Serhan.
Muller has worked on multi-platform campaigns across fashion, lifestyle, and property sectors.
At Cymbal, Muller will oversee content, influencer, and social media accounts in fashion, retail, beauty, and lifestyle, including clients Chevron Renaissance, IDA+S Collection, and new account Alcove Southport.
Bench Media has announced two senior promotions and three new hires following a string of recent client wins.
Nate Vella has been promoted to Head of Strategy from Brand Strategy Lead. He will oversee strategic planning and help shape Bench’s go-to-market approach.
Erin Fraser steps up to Head of Client Services from Group Head of Media Strategy. In the new role, she will lead client partnerships and delivery across the agency.
The independent media agency has also added three new team members across its client services and performance divisions, as it continues to scale in response to growing demand.
Daniel Copsey, founder of Admosis and part of the TMSPC Group, has acquired a minority stake in Melbourne-based creative agency Willow & Blake, joining as a strategic partner to help scale the business in Australia and internationally.
Willow & Blake, founded by Jessica Hatzis and Bree Johnson, is best known for its branding and creative work across consumer brands, including its co-founding of skincare label frank body.
The agency claims to have helped build over $1 billion worth of brands to date.
Megan McElderry
Captify has appointed Megan McElderry as its new Commercial Director.
She joins the real-time audiences and insights provider in the newly created role and will oversee sales and client service teams.
McElderry will also leverage her experience in ad tech and sales strategy to deliver for Captify’s growing client base while also exploring growth opportunities.
She brings nearly 20 years of media industry experience to the role, having guided teams across Australia and the UK.
McElderry joins from digital advertising platform, GumGum, where she was the NSW Sales Leader, managing all major agency holding group clients and revenue.
Baiju Shah has been appointed global CEO of AKQA, WPP’s design and innovation agency, following his departure from Accenture Song where he served as Global Chief Strategy Officer.
Shah’s appointment reflects WPP’s strategic focus on fusing creativity with expertise in AI, data and technology. He steps into the role as brands increasingly look to harness cultural shifts and emerging technologies to fuel growth and engagement.
Shah brings more than 25 years of experience leading global brand transformation, having co-founded Accenture Song (formerly Accenture Interactive) and helped scale its design and innovation capabilities, including its Fjord network across 35 global studios.
Andy Thomas, Trish Folan and Liz Kreuger
Landor has appointed Andy Thomas as Executive Creative Director and Liz Kreuger as Executive Strategy Director for Australia.
Together they will oversee the brand and design consultancy’s creative and strategic output and support Landor’s brand work across the region.
Thomas joins Landor from Re, where he led Design and Experience as Executive Creative Director for M&C Saatchi Group AUNZ.
Kreuger returns to Landor after a previous stint in the agency’s Hong Kong office.
Webjet Group has appointed Taras Lee as General Manager for its New Zealand operations.
He will lead strategy and operations for the Group’s Cars and Motorhomes rental brands.
Lee will oversee commercial growth, customer experience, and expanding the brands’ presence across key markets, in response to increased demand for self-drive holidays and digital travel services.
He brings more than ten years of experience to the role in international e-commerce and digital business development, with a background in vendor management and building cross-border teams.
Lousie Rathbone joins Football Australia as General Manager – Marketing, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
She shared news of the consultancy role in a LinkedIn post on Thursday.
Rathbone wrote: “This consulting role with Football Australia will see me lead the tournament’s marketing strategy – spanning brand, fan engagement, and conversion-focused ticketing campaigns – as we prepare to deliver one of the world’s biggest women’s sporting events on Australian soil in March 2026.
“Over 21 days, 12 of the top national teams from across Asia will go head-to-head in 27 matches, hosted across five world-class stadiums in three Australian cities: Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast.
Beer Poonnotok, Sandra Hsu, Simon Lockyer, Guada Delos Reyes and MJ Clamar
DO. Agency has appointed Simon Lockyer as its new Managing Director to replace Matt Collier, who recently left the business for personal reasons.
Lockyer also joins the global independent agency as a partner. He brings over 20 years of experience in marketing, technology, and innovation to the agency from leadership roles at Cognizant, Edelman, IBM, FCB, Ogilvy, and Cathay Pacific.
Lockyer will oversee DO. ASIA team alongside Partner and Executive Creative Director Beer Poonnootok, overseeing operations in Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
London Agency has hired Jack Walton, a former media and communications adviser in Federal Parliament, to strengthen its public affairs capabilities.
Walton brings close to four years of experience to the agency across the Senate, the House of Representatives and Victorian Central Coalition Headquarters.
His most recent role was advising the Federal Member for Menzies, Keith Wolahan MP, during the first term of the Albanese government.
Walton led digital strategy and content creation efforts and helped generate more than 10 million views across platforms. He also supported national media appearances across outlets such as ABC, Sky News, and Q+A.