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Cummins & Partners’ Pownall named GM at Publicis Mojo Melbourne as James Graham exits

Pownall

Pownall

James Graham is set to finish up his “caretaker” stint as managing director at Publicis Mojo Melbourne with Cummins & Partners’ suit Georgie Pownall being handed the job of rebuilding the agency as general manager, Mumbrella can reveal.

Pownall has been a group account director at Cummins & Partners in Melbourne since it opened in November 2o11 leading clients including Tourism WA, Novartis and CGU Insurance. Her 17 year career has spanned agencies including The Campaign Palace, DDB, Saatchi & Saatchi and a client side role with toy maker Mattel.

The move comes a year after CEO Andrew Baxter took control of the Publicis agency after jumping ship from Ogilvy last January, replacing Joe Pollard. Last week Gavin Levinsohn was installed as the group managing director of the agency in Sydney, signalling the end of Tim Parker’s interim role.

“Georgie is a stand out talent and we are thrilled to have her joining the agency,” said Baxter. “She has a very impressive record in being integral to major new business wins, as well as working with top clients on campaigns that do well in creative and effectiveness awards.

Baxter

Baxter

“She is also a proven team and relationship executive who will fit very well with our Melbourne group operations and capabilities.”

Whilst speculation has put the number of employees of Mojo in Melbourne at six in recent months, Baxter said there were around 30 employees in the office as part of the wider group, including digital, CRM and shopper marketing.

The agency announced it had won Melbourne Polytechnic at the end of last year it has been short of major new business wins in recent years. It had a workforce of around 80 in 2009.

In recent months the group has expanded through tie ups including CRM specialists Cubed, mobile specialists Front Foot as well as an alignment with digital agency Pusher which sees the agencies “join forces”.

Graham, a former managing director of Marmalade and McCann Worldgroup, took control of the office in January 2014 in what Baxter described in the release as a “caretaker” role.

He said in a statement: “Although my role with Publicis Melbourne has been relatively short, it has been very productive in terms of the team we’ve assembled and the strategic and creative work we’ve been able to do. I am very pleased to have had the chance to work with the agency.”

Baxter said: “James has done a great job leading the agency through transitional times and setting us up for the future with the right structure and talent. The business is in very good shape for Georgie’s arrival as we continue to strengthen our presence and accelerate our focus on this key market.”

Cummins & PArtners managing director Chris Jeffares said Pownall had not been replaced at the agency as yet, but added: “Georgie has been a wonderful at Cummins & Partners, and we are delighted for Georgie in her taking the next step in her career.  She’s much loved and we wish her well.”

Alex Hayes

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