Accenture Song announces new Australian leaders as Mark Green heads to New York
With Mark Green starting as the new global CEO of Droga5, Accenture Song has revealed who will take over local operations.
On Monday, the company announced Bronwyn van der Merwe as the new Accenture Song lead for Australia and New Zealand, effective October 15, while Matt Michael will become the new CEO of Droga5 for Australia and New Zealand from December 1.
Currently the service practice lead for Accenture, van de Merwe will step into the role after rejoining the group in 2023 from Culture Amp where she worked as VP of design. Previously, she established design agency Fjord in Australia and also launched studios in New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
“I feel incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to lead Accenture Song’s next chapter, alongside Matt and the rest of the Song leadership team in Australia and New Zealand,” she said.
“We have incredible talent and capabilities in Song, including our recent acquisitions of Fiftyfive5 and The Lumery. The launch of Droga5 in this market will further strengthen our ability to deliver purpose led growth for our clients.”
Meanwhile, Michael will take on the CEO position following The Monkeys integration into Droga5, where he has worked since 2011 and served as managing director for over 10 years.
Michael – who was involved in some of the agency’s most memorable work, including Meat & Livestock’s campaigns, Qantas’ I Still Call Australia Home and the Uluru Statement from the Heart – will still lead Accenture Song ANZ’s marketing practice.
“The opportunity to work so closely with David [Droga] and Mark to re-launch Droga5 in Australia and New Zealand is something I couldn’t back away from,” he said of his appointment.
Michael (left) and van der Merwe (right)
“I look forward to building on everything we have done over the past 18 years with The Monkeys to take the business to new heights, here and globally, under the Droga5 moniker.
“It is an exciting time for Song and I look forward to working with Bron to continue taking our full-service suite of services and bring the provocative thinking and creativity of our outstanding team to our clients.”
Green, who started as Droga5’s global CEO this month in New York, praised van der Merwe and Michael’s appointments.
“This is a great moment for two truly brilliant people, both of whom I have had the pleasure to work with for many years,” he said.
“Bronwyn was part of why I was keen to join forces with Accenture in the first place. Seeing what Bronwyn helped create with Fjord in Australia was a brilliant insight into the potential of creativity, consulting and technology. Bronwyn will lead Accenture Song into a new era and the team in Australia and New Zealand are in good hands.
“It is great to see leaders grow and expand and it has been a privilege working with Matt Michael for over 14 years. Matt’s elevation to CEO of Droga5 in ANZ is an absolute no brainer and a great reward for someone who has been instrumental in the success of not only The Monkeys but Accenture Song as well. I cannot wait to see where Matt can take Droga5 in ANZ and I look forward to continuing our long partnership.”
Droga added: “How lucky to be going from strength to strength in ANZ leadership.
“Bronwyn’s integrated expertise and perspective, coupled with her deep commitment to both our people and our clients, makes her the ideal leader for this next chapter. At the same time, Matt who has a history of leadership and excellence is uniquely poised to lead Droga5, and will shape a local perspective that will undoubtedly have an impact on the agency and its clients globally.”
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Neil Griffiths is the Managing Editor of Mumbrella. He joined the company in October 2023.
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