‘Already she has raised the bar’: Benedictus Media announces new MD; CEO shifts positions

September 25, 2024 7:23

B Corp indie media agency, Benedictus Media, is undergoing a significant restructure that will see Danielle St. George take over as managing director, while the company’s chief executive officer, Phil Benedictus, will shift his position.

Moving forward, St. George will be responsible for the company’s leadership, and is expected to help propel it into “the next stage of… [its] evolution”.

The appointment serves as a homecoming to the media industry for St. George, after she took time off to travel around Australia. Before her break, the media expert spent a little over two years as head of operations at Havas Media Network – a position she took on after her previous place of employment, the indie agency HYLAND, was acquired by Havas in 2020.

Outside of the Havas ecosystem, St. George’s 16-year-and-counting media career began at UM Canada at the beginning of 2008 where she was hired as a media assistant before spending the next almost-six years working her way up the UM ladder.

In Australia, he has worked at Match Media, Zenith and Carat in director and managerial roles.

“After an incredible year on the road exploring this beautiful country, I really wasn’t sure if diving back into the media agency world was the path I wanted to take,” St. George said.

“Until I met Phil and the Benedictus Media team – from the first interaction, I was instantly reinvigorated.

“The agency is living proof that we can be better as an industry, by respecting the human experience and the environment alike to deliver better outcomes not only for our clients, but for people and the planet.”

(L-R): Danielle St. George, Phil Benedictus

The decision to hire St. George was prompted by Benedictus’ desire to adopt “a more dynamic leader”, freeing him up to prioritise business development while promoting environmentally conscious initiatives for the agency, such as calling for more sustainability within the advertising sector.

As the media leader put it: “For some time now I have wanted to bring in a more dynamic leader with fresh thinking to run the agency, allowing me to focus on new business and Benedictus Media’s role as an industry leader in sustainability.

“Danielle brings a winning Indie growth mindset allied with invaluable experience from the top end of town and a passion for nature and sustainability, giving her a unique perspective on structuring our agency for future success.

“Already she has raised the bar.”

Benedictus continued to praise St. George’s addition to the team, saying that her expertise in operations is an undeniable asset for the agency and its purpose.

“Benedictus Media has been a B Corporation since 2016. Back then hardly any of our clients knew what a B Corp was – we would have to explain it in every new business meeting – but the world has turned and there is increasing demand for Conscious Marketing,” he said.

“With her operations expertise, Danielle is leading the charge on integrating planet-first thinking and measurement into all our planning and buying products and processes.”

When asked about the agency’s future, St. George expressed her excitement, with the former Havas talent feeling “honoured” that she will be able to contribute to the company’s journey moving forward.

“Phil has built something really special with Benedictus Media, and I am truly honoured to help build on the agency’s success while leading us through the next phase of our journey,” St. George expressed.