Publicis Media promotes Toby Barbour to CEO
Toby Barbour is Publicis Media’s new Australia and New Zealand CEO, a promotion from his current role of CEO of Starcom.
The appointment is effective immediately, and comes after Matt James left the role to become global brand president of Publicis’ Zenith in January.
Barbour will stay on as interim CEO of Starcom in addition to his new role until a replacement is found, and report to Publicis Media EMEA and APAC CEO Gerry Boyle and Publicis Groupe ANZ CEO Michael Rebelo.
“It is with great pleasure that we appoint Toby to his new role. As the CEO of Publicis Media ANZ, he is charged with ensuring that we continue to create a progressive, effective operating model for our clients and our people,” said Boyle.
“Working in collaboration with our brand CEOs, across solutions, Toby will ensure that we continue to develop our talent and work to the highest standards, helping deliver the Power of One model.”
Added Rebelo: “I look forward to working with Toby who not only brings a depth and diversity of experience, but also possesses the attributes that we look for in our leaders – someone who’s open to new ideas and change, adaptive, collaborative and client focused.”
Barbour has led Starcom for two and a half years, previously serving as MD and client services director within the agency. During his tenure, the agency was appointed to the P&G account in the biggest media move of last year, and retained Snooze, Subaru and Metcash.
Before joining Starcom, he held sales and marketing roles at Sony and Olympus.
“I’m inspired by Publicis Groupe’s vision for the future and believe that through a powerful combination of content, data and technology we have a unique opportunity to lead client marketing transformation,” Barbour said.
“It’s a privilege to lead our Publicis Media solution, and I look forward to working closely with our agency brands Zenith, Spark Foundry, Starcom and Performics to drive our strategic growth plans.”
John Preston, chairperson of Publicis Media ANZ, will also work with Barbour in a consultative role.
Brittney Rigby was Mumbrella's deputy managing editor - news and analysis. She left Mumbrella in April 2021.
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Did you even read the press release? His name is TOBY
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His name is TOBY!!!!!
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A great choice.
I loved his work on The Great Temptation and Sale of the Century.
I’m whistling off to get a packet of Cambridge durries at the corner store.
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Is Tony Barbour any relation to Toby Barbour – cause Toby is going to be miffed at missing out…
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Poor Toby, indeed. Sorry for the error. It has been corrected.
Vivienne – Mumbrella
Hi Carla,
Yes. It is. No disrespect to Toby, just an unfortunate oversight on our behalf.
Apologies.
Vivienne – Mumbrella
Hi there,
Would have been difficult for us to run the story had we not read the press release at all. We’re not that magical or talented.
We do sincerely apologise for the typo though, and meant no disrespect to Toby. It has been corrected.
Vivienne – Mumbrella
I wondered what he was doing after Sale Of the Century?
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Not the first time he has been called Tony!
Great appointment. Well done mate.
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Good sh!t mate. All the best with the role!
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Congrats Tony, good job mate. Miss you x
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‘Toby or not Tony, that is the question.’
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Quick acceleration to a senior leadership role with no prior experience leading and exec team and nothing tangible to back it up. Would love to read about the results and success of his time at starcom with seeing those things realise business results rather than just stuff they are doing. Will drive a nice football culture though!
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