Lisa Squillace joins GroupM to lead new offering launching next year
GroupM is launching a new division in Australia and New Zealand, and has hired industry figure Lisa Squillace as its new head.
Driving the expansion of the group’s entertainment capabilities, GroupM’s global entertainment division Motion Entertainment, which is headquartered in London and Los Angeles, will launch in January to support the local entertainment industry.
It operated in 35 countries globally, and has co-produced more than 2,100 TV series and films in partnership with leading global talent – including the likes of Morgan Freeman, Bradley Cooper, and Kevin Hart – as well as networks and platforms.
Squillace has been appointed to head up the local offering, with responsibilities including co-developing, co-producing, distributing premium content, and delivering bespoke brand opportunities.
The introduction of Motion Entertainment in ANZ is said to provide a pathway for media partners, creatives, executive producers, and brands to work more closely to deliver premium content. It also hopes to provide an injection of capital into local productions.
“GroupM Motion Entertainment is our commitment to forging deeper, more meaningful connections between Australian consumers and our clients’ brands that go way beyond brand partnerships,” Melissa Hey, chief investment officer of GroupM ANZ, explained.
“Lisa’s expertise in entertainment and driving innovative partnerships makes her perfectly suited to lead the charge. She will work in collaboration with our agencies, as well as producers, networks, and publishers across Australia, to develop mutually beneficial partnerships that deliver premium entertainment experiences, ultimately driving brand growth.”
Squillace was most recently national sales director at Network Ten and Paramount, where for four years she led the national sales all screens team and was responsible for ad revenue across Network Ten, 10 Play, and Paramount+.
She has over 20 years of experience across media and entertainment, including at the other major networks Seven and Nine.
Squillace said entertainment is a proven and successful way for brands to connect with consumers, and she’s excited to make that happen for clients in the new year.
“We know that entertainment equals engagement, engagement equals attention and attention equals action,” she said.
“I’m thrilled to join GroupM to lead Motion Entertainment and unlock those opportunities for clients, help shape the future entertainment landscape and support local content production.”
GroupM Motion Entertainment will be operational in ANZ in January 2025.
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Lauren McNamara was the associate editor at Mumbrella. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS. She left Mumbrella in August 2025.
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entertainment
GroupM
GroupM Motion Entertainment
Lisa Squillace
Melissa Hey
Motion Entertainment
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