‘It’s easy to dismiss signs your body is giving you’: Organic head shares cancer diagnosis, appoints acting managing partner
“I was in complete shock, I literally had no words,” was how comms leader Sarah Smith reacted when her friend and Organic Pacific’s managing partner Annabelle Gigliotti called to share news of her cancer diagnosis. Now, speaking exclusively to Mumbrella, Gigliotti is stepping away from the business to focus on treatment, and Smith is taking on the acting head role.
As Gigliotti has previously told Mumbrella, she is someone who feels more comfortable behind the camera. In this instance, she felt it was important to step into the public eye and remind the industry of one crucial thing – look after yourself.
She led the launch of Organic, part of the Havas network, in the Australian market in 2021, and has since grown the business into a leader in entertainment and events PR.
Having received a stage four colon cancer diagnosis last year — for which she has already successfully completed a round of chemotherapy, with good results — she has made the difficult decision to pull back from work in order to do exactly that – look after herself.
“I wanted to talk to you and the industry at this time for a few reasons,” she told Mumbrella.
Firstly, and “most importantly,” she wanted to stress that in this “wild, wonderful, and often stressful” industry, it is easy to dismiss your body’s signs: “We chalk exhaustion up to a busy period, an intense pitch, but there can be something more going on and it is worth talking to your doctor.”
Secondly, she wanted to emphasise she could “never imagine” walking away from Organic – from the people, the clients, and the business she has built. She said it has been the “proudest part” of her career, and wanted people to know why she’s taking a break.
And finally, she wanted the chance to properly introduce Smith, and explain why she was her first choice for the job.
Annabelle Gigliotti and Sarah Smith
Smith has more than 20 years of experience in entertainment comms including at Stan, Warner Bros Discovery, Endemol Shine, ITV Studio Australia, and Universal Music. She joins Organic after a year as Foxtel Group’s director of communications and PR.
She told Mumbrella she never expected a job offer under these circumstances.
“When Annabelle first called me, I honestly thought she was going to offer me a role – she had mentioned before that she wanted to find space for me to work together within the team,” Smith said. “So when she told me what she had in mind, I was in complete shock. I literally had no words. Then, to be completely honest, I started to cry. My heart broke for her.
“We both share similar experiences as single mums with young children, and we’re both deeply committed professional women who understand the unique challenges that come with balancing those aspects of our lives. I just wanted to leap through the phone and give her a hug, because I could feel how much she needed support at that moment.”
She said there was “no question in [her] mind” about saying yes to this opportunity: “I wanted to help Annabelle, to be someone she could trust while she’s away, and to make sure she felt safe in knowing that her team was in good hands.”
Smith has spent the majority of her career client side, and is looking forward to bringing that perspective to the agency – she said she is particularly excited to work across brands and develop strategies to help them innovate and grow in a way she couldn’t as a client.
“It’s about using my experience in a new environment to push the envelope and drive success for our clients.”
Smith said she’s watched the agency from afar since she first met Gigliotti, and the calibre of content and creative scope Organic works within is “truly inspiring”. Now, being onboard, it’s clear to her how exceptional the team is.
“Honestly, I think the one thing that’s been on my mind is just wanting to do Annabelle proud while she’s away. She’s built something incredible, and I feel a deep responsibility to carry that forward in her absence and ensure that everything continues to thrive.
“It’s more about living up to the trust placed in me than anything else.”
Gigliotti told Mumbrella Smith will enhance Organic’s offering with her complementary yet different experience and expertise.
“…Her gravitas as a leader is evident to anyone who spends time with her. From our first meeting, I knew Sarah and I were completely philosophically aligned when it comes to our approach to business and team management.
“She is a badass who will get shit done but has integrity, kindness, empathy, and leads with those traits,” she said. “It’s exactly what I wanted for Organic and my team.”
James Wright with Gigliotti and Smith
The wider Havas network has also thrown its support behind Gigliotti.
James Wright, global CEO of Havas Red, global chair of the Havas PR network, and group CEO of the Havas creative network ANZ, described her as one of the most respected entertainment PR experts in Australia, and more importantly, an incredible person.
“She and her phenomenal Organic team have the full love and support of the entire Havas Village wrapped around her as she faces this challenge,” he said.
“The outpouring of support Annabelle has received from across our Havas family and clients is a testament to the esteem and affection with which she is held across our industry. We know Organic will continue to thrive under Sarah’s leadership while Annabelle focuses on what’s most important right now.”
Gigliotti said she couldn’t have asked for a more supportive and encouraging experience. Financially, emotionally, and professionally, Wright and the Havas network have provided overwhelming comfort and strength.
“James just asked what I needed, what the team needed, and created the space for that to happen,” she said.
“Our people team have patiently helped me through insurance forms, and through bringing Sarah on to take the reins. The entire village stepped in to help the team in our transition period waiting for Sarah to start. I came into the office again for the first time in three months to take the photos for this announcement and I was a little nervous honestly, but it felt like coming home.”
On a wider scale, Gigliotti has reminded the industry that it’s okay to not be “invincible”.
“We’re creative, we’re bold, we’re young,” she said. “We also accept a degree of exhaustion – we work hard, we put our hearts into everything we do – of course we’re tired. But exhaustion was my only symptom for months, and if I had listened to that feeling more, we may have caught this earlier.”
She called on the industry to be more aware that cancer, and all illness, isn’t something that “just happens” when one gets old or retired, “it can hit you at a peak when you least expect it”.
“Talking about it more can help, which is exactly why I’m speaking out about my diagnosis.”
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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topics
Annabelle Gigliotti
cancer
cancer diagnosis
coms
Havas
Havas Network
James Wright
Management
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Organic Pacific
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Sarah Smith
Beautiful story about a wonderful woman. Thank you for sharing Annabelle and Lauren.
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