Three of Porter Novelli Australia’s senior leaders have left the business as part of Omnicom’s global restructure.
CEO Rhys Ryan, chief operating officer Arj Ganeshalingam and managing partner Patrick McClelland all departed at the end of December after more than a decade each at the communications firm.
An Omnicom Oceania spokesperson said the changes were part of a broader portfolio review of its PR agencies.
“We’ve simplified our brand and leadership structure for the benefit of clients and our people, reducing overlap and bringing related capabilities together,” the spokesperson told Mediaweek.
“We thank Rhys, Arj and Patrick for their tremendous contribution to our PR agencies and the region’s practice and wish them every success for the future.”
The remaining Porter Novelli staff will join the Omnicom Public Relations Group agency, FleishmanHillard.
Laura Hill will take on the role of managing partner of engagement and regions.
Lex Penfold, FleishmanHillard’s existing managing director, will lead the agency in Australia across its Melbourne and Sydney offices.
Merissa Lennon and Nicole Hamilton have also been promoted to general managers of Sydney and Melbourne, respectively.
Ryan said the departing leaders were proud of their time at the agency and the culture they helped build.
“Porter Novelli Australia was a wonderful place to ply our trade, for Patrick, Arj and me and for all those who came through the ranks under past leaders such as Peter Kent and Noel Turnbull,” he said in a statement.
“We loved working with people in an environment of trust and respect, where we learned from and valued one another.
“We have had a fantastic couple of decades, including our biggest year ever in 2025, but it’s the right time for us to move on.”
All three held shares in Clemenger Group.
Porter Novelli was founded in the US in 1972 and entered the Australian market in the 1990s. Mediaweek understands the decision to retire the brand locally is not part of a wider global move.
Omnicom’s broader reorganisation has seen DDB, FCB and MullenLowe retired globally and folded, respectively, into TBWA and BBDO.
FleishmanHillard and Eleven PR, which operate under the TBWA umbrella, are now the only named brands remaining in Omnicom’s Australian public relations structure.
Main image: Rhys Ryan, Arj Ganeshalingam