OMD Melbourne’s MD Dianne Richardson steps down after less than a year
OMD Melbourne’s managing director Dianne Richardson is stepping down from the role after joining the agency nine months ago, Mumbrella can reveal.
In a statement to Mumbrella, an OMD spokesperson said: “It is a mixture of sadness and gratitude that OMD confirms Dianne Richardson will be standing down from the role of OMD Melbourne managing director to focus on her family.
Richardson is stepping down from the business to spend time with her family
Have noticed that a lot of women in high office have pulled the pin lately.
I am a woman and it’s starting to be quite. noticeable.
It isnt a great look. Perception or Reality?
Thoughts people?
More women than men? Locally notable male departures at WPP, Dentsu, too. Can’t think of numbers off my head. However it’s difficult to disregard two female MDs leaving an agency within a month or so.
Seems more perception than reality – Connaghan, Simon Ryan, Paul Brooks, Toone etc all recent leavers.
2 md in 2 weeks at omd, and 2 mel md in 1 year is an odd situation. Am sure it has nothing to do with their awarded female leadership.
With so many women in senior positions leaving OMD (Margie Reid, Yvette Mayer and Dianne Richardson) it gives the impression there is a problem with women in senior management positions
Maybe its because OMD hire more women into senior leadership positions than anyone else…
Maybe it’s because the industry has embraced equality in senior positions finally. Although women have more pressures and responsibility in all aspects of their life than men. It’s a stressful industry.
I can ‘almost’ understand the first sweep out that happened at OMD with the appointment of the new CEO, despite its brutality. With the exception of their star player and new biz supremo, Margie of course which was a great loss. But now these are the replacements the CEO bought in that are leaving. At a guess i’d Say these very competenent senior women aren’t feeling like they have the autonomy they imagined or deserve. Especially off the back of some big pitches.
This is nothing to do with women not being able to cope with the pressures of senior roles, well not at this level at least. It could be more about culture and some higher level management styles.
Why aren’t all comments being posted?
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Do you think if three blokes from an organisation left that this conversation thread would be – must be a bloke problem?
Two MD’s leaving in the space of a week. There must be a story here about the current leadership. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
Hilariously sexist comments in this thread. I can almost guarantee that if 2 male MD’s resigned under a male CEO, there would be no story whatsoever…. but, because we are talking about 2 females all of a sudden there’s ‘leadership issues’ and a ‘bigger story’.
Yvette is leaving the industry after 20 odd years to focus on her passion within the health space. Dianne is stepping down to spend more time with her 3 young children…. what a terribly hard decision this must have been. I commend her and have no doubt every other mum wishes they could do the same.
Side line spectators, step away from your key boards and get on with your real jobs.
Of course here would have been speculation if two male MDs who report to the same person left within a week of each other. Of course there would be…. That’s not sexist.
It’s not about male / female. It’s about two leaders in senior roles and both leaving. It’s known that when change happens like this there is normally a trend and an issue. Everyone has questioned the changes at DAN. Why not here?
For the record, I’m not leaving OMD as a result of anything but my decision to focus on my passion. After having breast cancer 8 years ago, I’ve been feeling a pull toward holistic health and more recently, I discovered essential oils. I’ve loved working at OMD, it really is the best agency in the business. I’m just ready to try something new. Something that will help others have better health and wellness, as it has me. If you’re one of those people who could benefit from improved natural health and well-being, check out my website and learn more. http://www.yvettemayer.com.
Mumbrella May charge you for advertising 🙂