WPP Media has made a decisive global talent play, appointing Kevin Kivi as managing director of its South Australian operations, signalling the group’s intent to embed world-class leadership as it reshapes its business for the AI era.
The appointment brings a Cannes Lions-winning agency leader back to Australia after nearly a decade building Horizon Media’s Canadian business, and underscores WPP Media’s strategy of installing internationally proven operators to drive regional growth and integrated capability.
Kivi will oversee Wavemaker’s South Australian operations and its portfolio of major clients, including Mitsubishi Motors, Adelaide University, the Government of South Australia, Bridgestone and San Remo, placing him at the centre of one of the state’s most strategically important agency operations.
A global operator returns to the Australian market
Kivi brings 25 years of leadership experience across Melbourne, Toronto, and New York, with a track record of blending creative excellence with commercial scale.
Most recently, he launched Horizon Media Canada from scratch in 2017, growing the business by 92% in just three years while also securing consecutive Best Place to Work honours and achieving the network’s highest employee engagement scores, a signal of both operational and cultural strength.
His credentials extend to deep global brand-building.
Kivi has worked with blue-chip clients, including P&G, Mars Wrigley, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo, Tim Hortons, and Burger King, and has led the Cannes Lions-winning Skittles Holiday Pawn Shop campaign.
This is not his first chapter within WPP’s ecosystem. He previously held senior roles at EssenceMediacom Canada and Mindshare Melbourne, giving him institutional familiarity with WPP Media’s structure, clients and strategic priorities.
Leadership built for the AI era of media
The move comes as WPP Media continues to reposition itself as a media collective built for the AI era, where leadership capable of integrating data, technology, and creativity has become a competitive differentiator.
Wavemaker CEO Peter Vogel framed the appointment as a deliberate leadership investment.
“Kevin’s appointment is a clear signal of WPP Media’s commitment to South Australia. His global experience, commercial acumen, and ability to build high-performing teams bring exceptional strength to the region. We’re confident his leadership will deliver fresh momentum and meaningful impact for our client partners.”
Peter Vogel. Source: LinkedIn
Kivi himself emphasised the opportunity to drive both commercial growth and capability expansion.
“Coming back to Australia to lead our South Australian operations is incredibly exciting. The state’s business community is ambitious, innovative, and full of opportunity. I’m focused on building an agile, collaborative team that delivers smart, effective work and strong client partnerships. There is enormous potential here, and I’m energised to help drive growth for South Australian organisations and contribute to the broader media community.”
A strategic talent play with clear commercial stakes
In an era where media groups are racing to embed AI-enabled planning, data-driven decisioning and integrated client partnerships, senior leadership appointments like this carry outsized weight.
Kivi’s return signals more than a regional hire. It reflects WPP Media’s broader strategy to anchor its next phase of growth with globally experienced leaders capable of navigating the increasingly complex intersection of media, technology and brand building.
Main image: Kevin Kivi. Source: WPP