Katie Rigg-Smith stepping down from Mindshare into WPP group role
Katie Rigg-Smith, CEO of GroupM agency Mindshare is stepping down from the role she has been in for the past nine years.
She will be taking on a new role within the wider WPP group, as chief strategy officer, the role left vacant by newly appointed group president, Rose Herceg.
Rigg-Smith will remain in the role until her successor is found, which will include an internal and external search, which has already begun.
She has roots in strategy roles, holding the chief strategy officer position at Mindshare, the agency she has spent her entire career at, before taking on her current role in 2013.
Her 23 years at the agency started as an intern, before moving several strategy roles, this move taking her back to her “heart
Rigg-Smith appeared on the Mumbrellacast in December, reflecting on her time as one of the longest-tenured CEOs, and enduring female executives in the Australian advertising landscape.
Aimee Buchanan, CEO of GroupM in Australia and New Zealand, said: “Katie has achieved so much, and truly is a trailblazing female leader. She has been an inspiration to me and many others across the industry, and I’m excited to see her take this next step in her career within the WPP family. It’s the end of an era for Mindshare – everyone who knows her, knows Katie bleeds purple. From all of us at GroupM I’d like to thank Katie for her uncompromising passion for our people and clients over the years. She leaves Mindshare well set up for ongoing success with a great team, established leadership and a purpose-led vision for the future.”
Katie Rigg-Smith said: “What a privilege it’s been to lead Mindshare for nearly nine years – an agency I grew up in. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities afforded to me and for all the individuals across our team, clients, partners and media owners that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I know Mindshare will only go from strength to strength, with best–in–class talent and a wonderful vision to deliver Good Growth. I am really excited about this next step in my career and really appreciate Aimee’s incredible support in making it happen. I cannot wait to be part of this next chapter of WPP with Rose and her fierce determination that we deliver extraordinary for our clients.”
Rose Herceg, WPP’s president, Australia and New Zealand, said: “In my dream fantasy league Katie Rigg-Smith is my number one draft pick for Chief Strategy Officer for WPP. Katie is first and foremost a strategist, always known to have a strong point of view and a passion for what makes people tick. After her huge success at Mindshare, I’m thrilled to bring her across to WPP to share her expertise and insight with a broader network of our people and clients. Having her on board will reap the kinds of benefits that takes us and our clients’ business from great to extraordinary.”
Rigg-Smith stood down from the Media Federation Australia board at the end of 2021, with new GroupM CEO, Buchanan stepping in to her place.
Got a tip?
Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
Linkedin
I can’t help but wonder if this headline would have been different if it was a male taking on this role? Isn’t Katie stepping up to a new role rather than stepping down??
Congratulations Katie you are an inspiring leader, astute business person and fabulous human
Surely Mumbrella could instead use “exits” or “departs” to describe Katie’s leave from Mindshare. I know I’m not the only reader who interprets “stepping down” in a negative sense.
Interesting to note that other trade publications have chosen to break this news in a more positive light, leading with Katie’s incredible well-deserved promotion into the new Chief Strategy Officer WPP role rather than her exit from Mindshare.
User ID not verified.
Hi Anne,
It’s indeed a fair comment. However, there was no gender bias intended here. Katie is stepping down from one role and moving into another one. It’s a reminder for our team to consider how our choice of words can be interpreted in a negative light, but we too congratulate Katie on her move (upwards) and wish her well!
Cheers, Andrew Banks. (deputy and acting managing editor)
Have your say