Fiona Johnston departs UM Australia for UK-based Mediabrands role
UM Australia chief executive officer, Fiona Johnston, has been promoted to a new international role for Mediabrands that will see her relocate to London.
Johnston has served in the role since 2017, when she replaced Ross Raeburn, moving from executive consultancy Wild and Safe. Now she heads to the UK to take up the role of chief growth officer, Mediabrands, Global/EMEA.
In her new role, Johnston will be looking to support growth in both Global and EMEA markets, with a goal to deliver market advantage to clients.
She’ll also take a lead in working with Mediabrands parent IPG, on group coordination.
Fiona Johnston departs UM Australia
Mediabrands Australia CEO, Mark Coad, said Johnston will be missed at UM. “We are sad to be losing Fiona and also elated she is going to a new, senior position and still in our wider network.
“She has been a passionate and highly successful CEO of UM, evidenced by important wins in new business, client retention and awards.
“Fiona leaves with our gratitude for all she has achieved for UM and we wish her every success in the new role,” he said.
During her time as CEO of UM Australia, Johnston has led the agency to big account wins including the Australian Government, David Jones, Menulog, Mattel and Nestle and has retained the accounts of Coca-Cola, ING and Kmart.
Johnston said she’s looking forward to growing the capabilities of the European team.
“I am sad to be leaving Coady and the team at such an exciting time for UM in Australia. It really is the best bunch of strong, amazing humans and I’m so proud to have been a part of our shared success.
“Equally the opportunity to craft more of this globally is a great honour indeed. I am excited to work with the global and Europe team to help bring it to life, as I know only we can.”
Mediabrands has already decided on a replacement for Johnston, and will make the announcement public in the coming days.
Got a tip?
Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
Linkedin