WPP AUNZ’s CEO of PR, Kieran Moore, to leave business
WPP AUNZ’s CEO of PR, government relations, experiential and design is leaving the business “in mid-July”, the holding group has announced.
Moore said the time was right to seek new challenges and opportunities outside the group where she had spent more than one-third of her life.
Moore has been with WPP AUNZ since 2003
In addition to running WPP AUNZ’s PR and government relations companies – including BCW, Cannings Purple, Hill + Knowlton and Howorth – in recent years Moore has performed a group communications and marketing role.
She joined the company back in 2003, when it was then known as STW, and then rose to become managing director of Howorth. From there, she became CEO of Ogilvy PR (now Opr).
WPP AUNZ, which bills itself as a creative transformation company, has been going through a period of transformation itself under new CEO Jens Monsees, however both Moore and the holding group said the decision to depart was Moore’s.
“I have spent more than one-third of my life in this Group. The time is now right to seek new challenges and opportunities and I am excited about the journey that lies ahead. It’s a leap I am really looking forward to,” she said in a statement sent out by the holding group at 4:29pm.
WPP AUNZ’s chief operating officer John Steedman, who also acted as interim CEO before Monsees was appointed, praised the outgoing leader.
“Kieran is well known and highly respected both internally and externally and is a friend to many. I have personally known and worked with Kieran for a long period of time and will truly miss her. We thank Kieran for the extraordinary effort, energy and commitment over the years with the company and wish her every success in the future,” he said.
A statement from WPP AUNZ added: “Moore is well known as a trusted client advisor, industry leader and a vocal advocate for workplace culture, diversity and inclusion, in addition to being a recognised expert in corporate thought leadership and crisis and issues management.”
What a loss for WPP – you mean those agencies will have to get themselves into pitches now?
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one of the best KM you will be greatly missed .. JS
A sad fact of poor leadership and lack of strategy for growth is that good people leave. In any organisation whereby smart people can see there is no bright future ahead they walk. The rubbish staff stay as no one will employ them, the good ones walk and the deceitful ones mentally resign but stay for the money. The last group accelerate the decline of the business even more. The end is nigh for WPP AU NZ and it will soon be WPooPoo AU NZ.
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Finally a chance for PR agencies other than OPR at WPP to get some opportunities. Kieran is great but she was always OPR first.
Also looks like the legacy STW hold on the management of WPPAUNZ might be coming to an end – and that is a good thing
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Don’t forget to turn the lights out when you leave.
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What a legend, what a loss. Appalling that once again it’s a women, and one over 40, who “moves on”.
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Congratulations, Kieran, for all you achieved at Howorth, at opr, and running the WPP PR and some other businesses. The performance of the PR group within STW/WPP under your leadership has been a stand-out and a very bright light. As a shareholder, I am deeply grateful for your efforts. You are a huge loss to this business at a time when proven, committed, brave leadership is so critically valuable. Well done, and good luck with the next chapter of your career. Chris
I’ve never met a more accomplished, authentic, kind hearted and progressive operator. I’m sure Kieran’s next steps will be spectacular. She’s a national treasure that woman.
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This whole thing has been a mess since the WPP/STW merger, with only a few shining lights. This lady was definitely one of them. Good luck and well done Kieran.
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Best of luck Kieran. We can’t wait to see what your next chapter and adventure entails. Whatever it is, I do truly hope there’s some well deserved down time involved.
You’re an absolute diamond in this rough industry.
Best of luck and lots of love.
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That’s a big loss for WPP. Kieran doesn’t spook easily, so it’s not a good sign of what’s going on at the top.
I wish you all the best Kieran. You are a great operator and have pushed hard for equality, diversity, culture and creating a future we wanted to be part of.
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Thanks J. Appreciate the note. I never worked for STW, as the companies I worked with before the merger were WPP controlled.
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A huge loss for the group. Sadly I haven’t gotten the chance to work directly with Kieran, but having met her numerous times and pitched against her and her teams I can say that she is one of the best in the country. Looking forward to what she does next and for seeing the next phase of WPP.
For those that are calling it the end, remember that every agency and group has its ups and downs. Sure it sucks when great talent leaves, but we are all losers if we cheer on the collapse of each other versus work to keep the entire industry moving forward.
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