Mitchells digital boss John Murray heads back to UK
Emitch boss John Murray is quitting the Mitchell Communication Group to return home to the UK, the company has announced.
Murray – who previously worked for media agency PHD in the UK – will depart in February.
Murray’s return to the UK also raises questions over the future leadership of Naked Communications’ Melbourne office which is currently run by Murray’s wife, Frances Ralston-Good.
At the time of writing, Naked had not returned Mumbrella’s calls.
Matt Crook
Matt Crook, currently MD of Emitch Melbourne and Perth, has been appointed as MCG’s MD of digital media for Australia and New Zealand. MCG is owned by Aegis.
Murray moved to Australia in 2007 to take the Emitch role, which later turned into heading digital across the whole group.
Harold Mitchell, executive chairman of Mitchell Communication Group, said: “John moved to Australia when he joined the Group in March 2007 and has played a pivotal role in the success of our digital division over the past few years. Under his direction, the division has grown to include Australia’s number one media agency with Emitch, number one search agency with Columbus, and other leading and award-winning digital businesses Media Contacts, Catch! and Visual Jazz.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank John immensely for his contribution to the success of the Group. He’s been an extremely valuable member of our senior management team and I wish him the greatest success.”
Mitchell added: “I’m also delighted to announce Matt’s appointment and know that John is leaving the Digital division in capable hands.”
Murray said: “I’ve had a fantastic time at Mitchells and been lucky to work with an incredibly talented bunch of people.”
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
Linkedin
Genuinely interested – Is Columbus the number 1 search agency?
User ID not verified.
Genuinely responding – No
User ID not verified.
Big loss. John was/is fantastic and a great thinker.
User ID not verified.
could the marketing wonks of the world by any chance STOP LABELING CRAP _DIGITAL_.
sincerely
-tech
User ID not verified.
I thought he was going to be next in line for the throne, very surprised.
Matt is a nice guy but not at Johns level
User ID not verified.
The genuinely responded characters on this post make me laugh! What is number 1 anyway?
I will say that you would be hard pressed to find a more talented and experienced group of search professionals in the whole country. I am sure they will miss John and his foresight to build a team with international experience. Matt I have no doubt will continue to drive success for MCG’s Digital Arm.
User ID not verified.