PPR’s CEO Michael Pooley departs after 12 years
WPP AUNZ’s PR agency PPR has lost its CEO, with Michael Pooley departing after more than a decade with the organisation.
Pooley has departed to launch his own business venture, Map Collective – a communications consulting firm.
Pooley is grateful for his time with PPR
Taking to LinkedIn to announce the news, Pooley reflected on his time with the agency.
“12 years ago, soon after arriving from the UK, I joined an agency called PPR. I wasn’t sure how long it would last, but thought if it didn’t work out, I could always head home,” he said.
“More than a decade on, I leave as CEO, grateful for the experience of working with an amazing team and awesome client partners to achieve so much together.”
Pooley joined PPR as group director of corporate and public affairs in 2007, before being elevated to director of strategy and planning, and general manager in 2010. By 2015, he was executive director and chief operating officer. He took over as CEO in 2017.
Pooley now has new challenges on the horizon, launching his own offering.
“With 20 years experience supporting brands large and small under my belt it’s time to do my own thing, launching Map Collective,” he said, explaining it will be a consulting firm focused on providing brands with the senior counsel they need to “navigate their communications journey”.
“As with all new ventures, there is a feeling of nervous excitement about what’s ahead. But it’s the right time to take on a new challenge, so let’s do this.”
A WPP AUNZ spokesperson thanked Pooley and wished him well.
“After nearly 12 years with PPR (as account director, GM, COO and CEO from 2017) Michael Pooley has decided to leave the agency to start his own consulting practice. Michael will continue to work with PPR on a consulting basis as required,” the spokesperson said in a statement to Mumbrella.
“Michael has worked closely with PPR in order to ensure a smooth transition and to support its most important clients prior to his departure.
“We thank him sincerely for his long and committed career with PPR and wish him all the very best as he builds his own venture. An announcement about the agency’s leadership will be made soon.”
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Michael is a great guy. A real shame to see the end of PPR. But I guess it was inevitable, the company was not able to keep all the senior hires over the past 12 months. I think this lead to so many staff leaving the company. Hopefully, the remaining staff and clients will enjoy working for BCW.
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This might help explain the story
https://thewest.com.au/business/herd-on-the-terrace/once-mighty-spin-machine-ppr-suddenly-rather-private-ng-b881285581z
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