Crosby Textor rebrands as CT Group and expands Australian operations ahead of Federal election
Political communications group Crosby Textor has rebranded as CT Group and announced a reorganisation and expansion of its Australian business ahead of the upcoming Federal election.
The controversial communications company, founded in Australia by former Howard government advisor Lynton Crosby and pollster Mark Textor in 2002, was credited with masterminding the election strategies of London Mayor Boris Johnson in 2008 and UK Prime Minister David Cameron three years later.
As part of the Australian restructure, former CEO of the Australian Bankers’ Association David Bell was recently appointed the company’s group managing director for Australasia. He will lead the group’s local business intelligence practice, C|T Intelligence and Insight.
Crosby Textor lost the ABA lobbying account to rival Newgate Communications in 2016.
Rejoining the group is Catherine Douglas, who has been appointed managing director of the group’s Australian campaign business, C|T Research Strategy Results.
Douglas was previously a researcher and consultant with the company between 2003 and 2007 before joining Foxtel as manager for corporate responsibility, policy and corporate affairs. Most recently, Douglas was senior vice president at US advisory firm Teneo Strategy based in New York.
Long-standing Crosby Textor employee and former Howard government staffer Yaron Finkelstein has been appointed to the newly created position of global head of campaigns.
Based in Sydney, Finklestein will play a significant role in overseeing the company’s global campaign engagements. He will also be responsible for developing expertise of employees across the firm in proprietary campaign techniques.
“We are delighted to welcome David, Damian and Catherine to the C|T Group, and announce Yaron’s new role,” said Sir Lynton Crosby, chief executive officer, C|T Group. “We are confident these new appointments, combined with our existing leaders Remo Nogarotto and Samuel Paske, will allow us to further grow C|T Group’s presence and service offering throughout Australasia.”
Also joining the team is former head of group security at ANZ Bank, Damian McMeekin who was appointed managing director of C|T Intelligence and Insight in February 2018.
Prior to joining ANZ, McMeekin managed international security, political and economic affairs at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
