David Fox (cover image) has become WPP AUNZ’s chief transformation officer – creative agencies, charged with driving growth and collaboration across the Group’s advertising agency network. He also retains his role as chief executive officer of Ogilvy Australia. The new role is effective immediately.

Fox will split his time overseeing eight WPP AUNZ advertising agencies across both Australia and New Zealand, including Ogilvy, Y&R Group, J. Walter Thompson, whiteGREY, The Brand Agency, Spinach, Assignment and IM Advertising, plus continue in his current role as chief executive officer of Ogilvy Australia.

Chief executive officer of WPP AUNZ, Mike Connaghan, commented, “In order to drive and achieve our goal to deliver 100% of a client’s customer experience we need world-class leaders at the helm of our business groups.  What has become increasingly clear to me is that not having a member of the Exco much closer to, and focused on, our Advertising Agencies was a missed opportunity.

“We need our traditional ad agencies to continue to grow and transition their offer to remain strong communication partners to their clients. Foxy is an outstanding individual with unrivalled creative and management credentials and he is the ideal person to lead the charge and move the Ad Agencies through their next growth phase.

“Foxy’s appointment will not only bring together specialist expertise and talent from across the ad agencies but allows for greater agility and ability for quick and informed decision-making. This is a serious appointment and I am delighted he has accepted the role.”

Fox began his career at Batey Kazoo in Sydney in 1995 before moving to Singleton Ogilvy and Mather in 1999, where he rose through the ranks to executive director of the Sydney agency in 2003.

In 2005, he was transferred to London to work on global clients for OgilvyAction, which then merged with G2 in 2013. He returned to Australia to take up the role of chief executive officer of Ogilvy Australia in 2014.

Fox commented, “When it comes to advertising and integrated brand communications Australia is one of the most competitive, dynamic and creative markets in the world. In my new role, I am excited to be working with the WPP AUNZ’s ad agency leads to continue to develop, improve and add capability to the collective businesses. They are an outstanding group of talented individuals and together we will achieve great results for our clients and ultimately more success for the agencies.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Baxter, chairman of Publicis Communications ANZ & chief executive officer of Publicis Worldwide ANZ is to leave the agency by the end of March

Andrew Baxter

Baxter has been with Publicis since 2014, when he joined Publicis Worldwide ANZ as CEO. In 2017, he was promoted to chairman of Publicis Communications ANZ in February 2017.

Loris Nold, chief executive officer of Publicis Groupe APAC, commented, “Over the past four years, Andrew has been a great partner in the transformation of Publicis Worldwide and in supporting the agenda of Publicis Communications in Australia, for the benefit of our key clients, working closely with Michael Rebelo, CEO of Publicis Communications in ANZ. Under Baxter, Publicis Worldwide in Australia has achieved some major milestones, growing significantly and having record years in 2016 and 2017.

“Andrew is looking to new career opportunities and he will be working with Michael to transition his responsibilities in the coming month.

“Australia is an incredibly important market for Publicis Groupe and I have full confidence in Michael’s leadership. I wish Andrew the very best in his future endeavours.”

Baxter added, “I am grateful for the time I have spent leading Publicis Worldwide in Australia and the trust given to me by our clients and our talented team. Not only have we transformed our relationships with our key partners, but we have built a world-class agency with first-class resources and work. The results speak for themselves. After 25 years in the advertising business, I’ve decided to further my Board and Advisory career. I’ll work closely with Loris and Michael to ensure that our clients and teams continue to get the very best.”