James Greet departs Ikon after 18 months as agency changes management structure
James Greet is leaving the role of CEO of media agency Ikon in Australia and New Zealand after just 18 months, it has been announced.
The STW Group owned agency will also have a change in a management structure with each office led by a managing partner, with Pat Crowley stepping up to that role for Sydney after returning last year to lead the successful pitch to retain the Commonwealth Bank account.
Those managing partners will report into STW’s CEO Mike Connaghan. According to a statement released today Greet has resigned from the role he took up in July 2013 “to pursue other opportunities”.
Greet had recently been in market touting the new positioning for Ikon, which is looking to bolster its strategy credentials as it rebuilds after a rocky couple of years after the mass culling of senior staff including then CEO Dan Johns in March 2013.
Prior to retaining foundation client CommBank the agency had lost several big accounts including the Vodafone media business to Bohemia, Coca-Cola to UM and Diageo to creative agency Leo Burnett.
It also closed the doors of its Perth office quietly last year, moving work for clients Bankwest and Subway to the Sydney and Brisbane offices.
In November Mumbrella revealed Ikon would be subsumed into the GroupM group in New Zealand.
Greet joined the agency with a track record for turnarounds, being credited with laying the foundations for OMD’s rejuvenation as CEO of the agency between 2002 and 2006. After three years as managing partner at recruitment firm The Ladder he reappeared to take the reins at GroupM agency Mindshare, leading its rejuvenation including winning the $45-million Unilever account.
Crowley had left the agency after 12 years last June to join independent agency Match Media, but was lured back just two months later as Ikon looked to defend the CommBank account he had been an integral part of for a decade.
Ikon did pick up several smaller account wins at the end of 2014, as well as the $40m Flight Centre account which its Brisbane office, led by Sharon Cookson, took from Carat.
The release:
STW today announces that James Greet CEO Aust/NZ, Ikon has resigned and is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities after 18 months in the position.
STW’s CEO Mike Connaghan said: “Ikon is in excellent shape, with an enviable client roster and is well known for its absolute passion for driving outstanding client results.”
As a result of Mr Greet’s resignation, STW announces a restructure of Ikon’s management model. Each office will now be headed by a Managing Partner who will report directly to Mike Connaghan.
The newly appointed Managing Partners are: Lesley Edwards, Managing Partner, Ikon Brisbane; Sharon Cookson , Managing Partner, Ikon Melbourne; Pat Crowley, Managing Partner, Ikon Sydney; and Emma Bolser, Managing Partner, Ikon NZ.
“The guys running each office are the best in the business. Melbourne, New Zealand and in particular Brisbane have all had great years. Sydney under Pat’s leadership took on all comers and retained the CBA. Ikon is in great shape, and with this leadership group are set for a great 2015.”
Ikon is part of STW, Australasia’s leading marketing content and communications group.
Alex Hayes
there seems to be a fair bit written between the lines…
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Mike needs to get a new quote. He seems to roll that line out a little too often. Most recently when the CEO of Ogilvy left…Embarrassing.
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^^
the only thing between the lines are the 3 fingers I’m holding up
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It makes a change from “to spend more time with my family” or “for personal reasons”
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I wonder who will take over?
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You couldnt describe the STW share price as being in excellent shape. Its retreating to levels not seen since ’11. Typically it’s tracked the ASX100 and All Ords rather closey. The past 6 months it’s unperformed quietly significantly. Maybe some other changes are needed.
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Can we hear the faint but steady sound of unravelling?
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No mention of ikon adelaide? Hmmm.
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Hardly surprising to hear. A formidable group of managing partners now in place, looking forward to the next installment…
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@Groucho – yes, more unravelling to come no doubt. always happens when a CEO leaves.
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Mike two of your ‘guys’ are women????!!!!
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ever since the infamous ‘Bloodbath’ things have never been the same for the top level people at Ikon… Wish them all the best!
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@ sexism. “Guys” is often used as a generic term to mean “people” not just men. Almost certain that you know this.
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Sad news, James is a strong leader. Perhaps there are just too many Media agencies in Australia?
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Who would want to be a media agency CEO these days?!? Tough at the top.
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