Mediacom’s ECD Gemma Hunter becomes Myer’s general manager of marketing
Mediacom’s executive creative director and head of Mediacom Beyond Advertising, Gemma Hunter, has gone client side, taking up the role of general manager of marketing at department store chain Myer.
Hunter joined WPP’s media agency Mediacom in 2010 and has held roles including executive creative director and global ECD. She also headed up the agency’s content marketing arm, Mediacom Beyond Advertising.
Hunter has left agency life behind to join Myer
Hunter is enthusiastic about the new role.
“Myer is a loved and respected brand, and I can’t wait to join the inspiring team,” she told Mumbrella via a statement. “To be a driving force in the work that is underway, reigniting passion in the brand by focussing on customer experience and emotive storytelling is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Mediacom’s CEO Willie Pang said he was thrilled for Hunter and her new role.
“During Gemma’s nine-year tenure at Mediacom, she has played a pivotal role in the evolution and success of the agency. Gemma’s commitment, drive and passion to Mediacom Beyond Advertising (MBA), Mediacom, her team and clients has been exemplary. On behalf of everyone at Mediacom AUNZ, we thank her for everything she has done for our business. I would also like to wish Gemma the very best for the future, we are thrilled for her and her new role,” he said.
Throughout her career, Hunter has also been vice president of international marketing partnerships at MTV Networks Europe, and spent time at TBWA.
In addition, Myer has announced Mindshare’s Aaron Achurch is joining as head of media. Mindshare, like Mediacom, is part of WPP’s Group M.
Chief customer officer, Geoff Ikin, said the two appointments would help Myer re-engage with customers.
“With the key appointments of Gemma and Aaron to these roles we are bolstering our marketing and communications capability. The experience that Gemma and Aaron will bring to these roles will be instrumental in delivering the work that is underway to re-engage with our customer, putting them firmly at the heart of all that we do,” he said.
Myer’s media account has sat with WPP stablemate Ikon for almost a decade. Ikon recently restructured the account resulting in some redundancies. In July, WPP split the Myer account across agencies Ikon and Essence, saying it was an exciting time of change.
“Partnership and collaboration is at the core of what WPP AUNZ always offers its clients. Our clients demand the best team and resources available and we are confident the new Ikon and Essence partnership will deliver substantial benefits,” said John Steedman, interim AUNZ CEO of WPP.
It’s also been a period of transition and change for the Myer brand itself.
One year ago, there was a round of management redundancies, with marketing and customer executive general manager, Louise Pearson, departing.
Then in October, Tourism Australia’s general manager of global media, PR and social Ikin, joined the retailer as chief customer officer. The CCO role brought together Myer’s customer-facing functions including online, marketing and advertising.
And in March, Myer’s senior marketing manager Adam Jacka moved to 7-Eleven to become head of marketing communications.
Myer’s creative agency of record is Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.
Amazing hire. Strong move Myer.
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What a great hire and so good to see a client looking agency side.
Gemma will bring so much creativity and flair…..love it!
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Nice one – Gemma is a gun
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Gemma is the real deal. Looking forward to seeing her in action.
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Excellent hire.
I can’t see Geoff and Gemma rushing into another ‘Find Your Wonderful’.
Over-promise will kill Myer faster than under-delivering.
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Goodbye GroupM for next media agency review… lol
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