Content and advertising solutions provider Swift Media has announced the appointment of Pippa Leary (pictured) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She will formally join Swift Media in August 2019. Current Director Darren Smorgon has also been appointed Non-Executive Chairman, effective immediately.
Leary brings a proven track record of commercial innovation and success in the digital media space, having spent more than 20 years with Nine Entertainment Company and Fairfax Media, as well as several non-executive roles.
Prior to joining Swift, she was Commercial Director of Nine’s Digital Sales team, achieving the number one ranking in the Australian market during her tenure, and is the former CEO of APEX Advertising, a joint venture between Nine and Fairfax Media. Prior to APEX, Leary held the role of Managing Director of the Media division at Fairfax Digital where she was responsible for the launch of WA Today, Brisbane Times, The Vine and Business Day. During her tenure at Fairfax she was also involved in the acquisitions and integrations of RSVP, Stayz, Essential Baby and Weatherzone.
Commenting on her appointment, incoming Swift CEO Leary, said “I’m excited about the opportunity Swift Media represents. As a digital out-of-home marketing platform, the fundamentals of Swift are strongly positive. The team has built a profitable business servicing client with communication and entertainment solutions in the key verticals of mining, aged care, hospitality and health. The recent acquisition of Medical Media has allowed Swift to further diversify its revenue streams and move into adjacent markets.”
Leary added, “The key driver of Swift’s current success is its passionate team with a positive culture of continuous innovation. I am confident that adding Darren Smorgon as Chairman and myself as CEO sets the business up to take Swift’s products, revenue and profitability to the next level.”
Darren Smorgon has been a Non-Executive Director on Swift’s board since February 2019 after having previously served on the board of Medical Media for three years prior to its acquisition by Swift. He is Managing Director of Sandbar Investments, a Sydney-based family office, and prior to that, spent 16 years at CHAMP Private Equity where he led several deals including the privatisation and subsequent re-listing of oOh!Media. He is also currently a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee of oOh!media, the Chairman of coworking facility provider Hub Australia, and a Non-Executive Director of Total Drain Cleaning.