John Steedman to step down as head of GroupM in June with no replacement appointed
GroupM Australia chairman and CEO John Steedman is departing his role leading Australia’s biggest media buying group this June, it has been announced.
The departure comes just weeks after Steedman led the group through the controversy surrounding Mediacom’s misreporting on TV audiences and charging clients for “valuebank” inventory.
The veteran media buyer’s departure was announced this morning with the company saying he would remain “in a consultancy role as non-executive chairman”.
Steedman returned to the WPP media agency group in a full time role as Australia’s first chairman and chief executive back in 2010 and back in March, at the height of the Mediacom controversy, played down speculation he may soon return to retirement.
Speaking to Mumbrella this morning Steedman was adamant that the controversy involving Mediacom had no part in his decision to depart: “No, I informed them eight months back that I wanted to leave, or well semi-retire, I gave notice that I would be doing so at the end of June.
“I will be staying on as non executive chairman and will be available on a needs basis for clients and for people within the organisation.”
GroupM CEO Asia Pacific Mark Patterson said a replacement would be named “in due course”, adding he would assume overall responsibility in the interim period if required.
Patterson added: “I have worked for and with Steady for fifteen years now in the region. He is a first-class man, colleague, mentor and friend.
“He has given his all professionally and personally, to first build Mindshare and then GroupM in both Asia Pacific and Australia and create the remarkable company we all very proud of today.
“While he is stepping back from the day-to-day management of the company, the good news is he will be with us on hand and ‘on call’ to advise, counsel, mentor and assist along the way.
Steedman was name into the Media Federation of Australia Hall of Fame in 2013.
Possible internal replacements for the role include Mediacom CEO Mark Pejic and national investment director Danny Bass.
Nic Christensen
The full announcement:
“After a high-profile and successful career spanning more than four decades, respected media leader John ‘Steady’ Steedman will at the end of June step down as GroupM Australasia Chairman & CEO while remaining on in a consultancy role as Non-Executive Chairman.
A replacement for Steady will be appointed in due course, with Mark Patterson, GroupM CEO Asia Pacific, assuming overall responsibility in the interim period if required.
Dominic Proctor, President, GroupM Global, said: “Steady and I have known each other as colleagues and friends for 30 years since we were both juniors at JWT, although at different ends of the world. He has been brilliant for us and we wish him a brilliant time off. He is a top bloke and embodies all that is good about this
Mark Patterson added: “I have worked for and with Steady for fifteen years now in the region. He is a first-class man, colleague, mentor and friend. He has given his all professionally and personally, to first build Mindshare and then GroupM in both Asia Pacific and Australia and create the remarkable company we all very proud of today. While he is stepping back from the day-to-day management of the company, the good news is he will be with us on hand and ‘on call’ to advise, counsel, mentor and assist along the way.
“Australia is a top ten market for us globally and leads the way in many areas, and with a strong management team across our whole business, it will continue Steady said: “I’ve been working in the advertising business since the age of 16 and I think it’s time to step back and give the next generation the opportunity to lead. I’m incredibly proud of everything GroupM has achieved over the past five years and the way we’ve adapted our business model to suit the changing times.
Our success is testament to the incredibly talented people we have among our ranks, and I feel honoured to have worked with each and every one of them and been part of the group’s success story. I am confident thebusiness will continue to go from strength to strength.”
All the best Steady.
Always a tough competitor but always a good guy.
Enjoy the time off.
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Regardless of what has gone on these last few months, the bloke is an effing legend.
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As an ex-Mediacom employee with a slightly less than ideal view of the agency, Steady was always a legend. That’s a massive and disappointing loss for GroupM in that role.
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Wishing you all the best Steady, and big thanks for your support over the years.
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someone’s head had to roll, at least he departed gracefully
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Altho its been many years since our paths crossed Steady, I want to wish you all the very best and hope you enjoy to the max whatever you choose to do.
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One of the good guys, and truly a legend in the game. Thanks Steady.
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Well done Steady and all the best.
I’m sure we’ll see you popping up somewhere real soon. The industry can’t afford to lose leaders like yourself.
Cheers,
Groans.
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Sad day for GroupM . All the best Steady
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A great leader that was great at investing in his people – when I worked for a groupm agency you knew the business was in good hands with Steady at the helm. Big shoes to fill
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John – you have nothing to prove JS,you have done and seen it all. At all times with dignity based on my 40 years plus and like a footy player mate,don’t play 1 season too long. You have some shit to deal with in recent times and deal with it professionally you did. What I miss is the Saturday morning recovery breakfast after a night at the station hotel and we lived opposite each other. Smell the roses John they are nice, and the ad industry has become so self indulgent you are better out of it. Get a seniors card and an opal card plus movies $ 10 each.
Keep well mate you deserve “time out”
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What a fantrastic career. What a leadership massive hole at GroupM.
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What a huuuuuuge loss to Group M.
Steady is an institution in the business
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