Initiative’s Heath Wooster named Bunnings lead as Shane Goninon leaves to run winery
Media veteran Shane Goninon, Initiative Melbourne’s investment partnership director, is leaving the agency to focus on running his family winery, while the agency has also named Heath Wooster as the general manager of the Bunnings business.
The announcement:
Initiative Melbourne investment partnership director Shane Goninon is stepping away from his 36-year career in media strategy and investment to concentrate on developing his family winery business.
Goninon, who started his career in Melbourne in 1981 at MP&M, which later became Mitchell & Partners, will leave full-time duties with Initiative at the end of August. Across his career he has worked on major clients such as Ansett, Coles, Dunlop and Pacific Brands. For the past 16 years has led the media portfolio for major Initiative client Bunnings and has also been a senior member of the Initiative Melbourne leadership team.
As Goninon prepares to depart Initiative Heath Wooster has been named General Manager for Initiative’s Bunnings business. He will work closely with Ivo Kavelj who is General Manager of Partnerships for Bunnings at IPG Mediabrands’ investment and intelligence division Magna Global.
Chairman of IPG Mediabrands Melbourne Mark Pejic said, “Thirty six is a big number in any career and we congratulate Shane on this achievement. Add to this his leadership of the Bunnings business for the past 16 years and we have a picture of a media executive who has transcended a total revolution in media’s role and effectiveness in the work we do for clients.”
Melissa Fein, CEO of Initiative Australia, said Goninon’s career was a shining example of professionalism in the industry. “I have clearly seen the respect that is shown to Shane by his clients and agency team members,” said Fein. “After 36 years, to say you’re moving to focus on the family winery sounds like a dream and we wish Shane and his family every success.”
About three years ago Goninon bought Mountainside Wines in The Grampians in Victoria and has been working on the business since with his wife Jane and daughter Kate. See the business at https://mountainsidewines.com.au
Goninon said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the successes and challenges of my media career and in particular my long spell with Initiative. Running the winery is a very different type of work and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do with the business.”
Source: Initiative press release.
God Bless Shagga.
The wine is a good drop too, get around it.
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God Bless you in running your winery! Good luck.
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All the best Shagga – one of the best!
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Will be out to sample a drop Shagga … see you soon mate
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Congratulations Shane. You are one of the best media people I have had the pleasure of working with. You have been a great mentor and friend and I wish you Jayne and Kate all the best with your winery. You will be missed.
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Shane – long time!
Must’ve been those SA reds all those years ago in Adelaide!
all the best
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Congratulations my dear friend Shane. You’re a shining example of what a good advertising person should be. No one can say anything but positives about you. Keep making that delicious wine so I can keep enjoying. Our friendship will always continue.
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Absolute pleasure dealing with you Shane – you’re the ultimate example of what value generation for client, media agency and owner/publisher can and should look like. Will enjoy sharing one of your Mountainside Wines soon! Good luck Shagga!
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An absolute trooper of a guy who understands and values relationships and loyalty. Good luck my friend in your new venture. I will meed that Dart board tho Shagger!
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I would like to congratulate both of these very successful corporate men.
To remain in such an important position for well over thirty years is absolutely great Shane Goninon.
I have not met you Shane, but I do know Heath Wooster, since he was about two years of age actually …. he grew into a fine young man and also a very talented musician.
I am sure Heath will also be very proud and successful, following in your footsteps Shane and I hope you have a wonderful and enjoyable retirement perfecting your Winery as we all love our wine….
Good luck Shane
Jenny Knight
TEWANTIN Qld
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Thank you for sharing this useful information
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