The expat talent influx: Advertising and marketing’s gain, but for how long?
Australia has long been known as a market that punches above its weight when it comes to the advertising and marketing industry. Overseas talent is keen to work here, and our talent often gets poached by brands and agencies in larger markets. But, during the past 14 months, many of the big names that departed Australia for global hubs have returned. Some have taken up key roles, others have seemingly returned and gone silent. Mumbrella’s Calum Jaspan talks to some of those involved to try and find out what it all means, and whether it will last.
Since March year, Australia’s vast network of expats around the world have returned in numbers, as the ongoing pandemic has subsided, and Australian life has become less COVID-dominated.
There is an increased number of Australians returning to take up senior positions, which is contrasted with the well-documented talent shortage. But is this influx solely COVID related, and what might this mean for the local media and marketing industry moving forward?
During these 14 months we have seen a host of senior industry talent returning to our shores. Among those include, Anathea Ruys, new CEO of UM Australia, Nick Smith of Medium Rare Content Agency, Jackie-Lee Joe, former Netflix CMO, Jane Huxley, Are Media’s new CEO, recently returned from Spotify UK, Chris Brown, CMO at McDonalds, Matt Knapp, formerly Dollar Shave Club, Nicholas Ingate at HighSnobiety and Stephen de Wolf is returning after a stint as COO of Bartle Bogle Hegarty in London.
