Enero flags leadership change as Hotwire EBITDA tumbles
Heather Kernahan, former Hotwire CEO
Enero Group has attributed a significant revenue and profit fall within its communications agency Hotwire Global to “a challenging technology sector environment”.
It also flagged it would “take deliberate action to reset and refocus Hotwire under new leadership”: presumably a reference to the July departure of Global’s CEO Heather Kernahan.
The company did not reveal the identity of Kernahan’s successor, only that a new CEO would start in January and that “further details will be shared in coming weeks”.
“After an extensive global search and a highly competitive field of exceptional candidates, we’re pleased to confirm that Enero has appointed a new global CEO for Hotwire, commencing in January 2026. Further details will be shared in the coming weeks,” Enero Group CEO Ian Ball told Mumbrella.
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Kernahan announced she would be stepping down in May and finished up in July. She had been with the agency for nine years, and was promoted from CEO of Hotwire North America to the global CEO position in 2021.
The agency’s website currently lists chief people and culture officer Stephanie Pastorelli, North America CEO Heather Craft, and chief growth officer Laura Macdonald as its key global leaders.
Hotwire Global’s current leadership team (Hotwire)
Kernahan started a new position as CEO of B2B content marketing agency The Content Bureau in San Francisco in August.
Today’s announcement showed Hotwire Global’s revenue for the first quarter of the 2026 financial year (July to September) was $17.3 million, down 11% from the $19.5 million it brought in in the same quarter of FY25. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation) was down 38% from $2.9 million in Q1 FY25 to $1.8 million in the most recent quarter.
Enero Group’s recently installed CEO Ian Ball flagged its focus on Hotwire Global.
“Our Australian agencies continue to perform strongly, offsetting softer conditions in the global tech sector where Hotwire operates,” he said.
“We’re taking deliberate action to reset and refocus Hotwire under new leadership, sharpening its focus on innovation, performance, and growth. Together with ROI DNA’s largest-ever client win, strong AI product momentum, and a leaner operating model built on automation and global centres of excellence, we’re building solid momentum in a dynamic market.”
Within the wider group, creative agency BMF had a revenue climb of 18% from $8.7 million to $10.2 million, while EBITDA climbed 25% from $1.6 million to $2.2 million.
Enero Group’s financial results by agency (ASX)
Enero Group also acquired independent creative outfit Orchard Marketing back in 2018. The agency is now billed as an experience agency and brought in $6.7 million in revenue, a 17% climb on the $5.7 million from Q1 FY25. EBITDA for Orchard was $1.2 million, an 83% increase on the previous corresponding quarter’s $0.7 million.
Overall, the Group’s net revenue from continuing operations was $34.2 million, up 1% from $33.8 million, and EBITDA was up 13% from $3.1 million to $3.5 million.
On the Group’s performance, Ball said: “Enero has delivered EBITDA growth year-on-year, demonstrating the resilience of our diversified portfolio model.”
He added: “Across the Group, our diversification continues to provide balance, stability, and opportunity, enabling consistent performance even as conditions vary by sector and geography. Our focus remains on transparency, disciplined execution, and continued investment in our agencies to ensure Enero grows by delivering superior client value in a rapidly evolving environment.”
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