Mindshare Australia & New Zealand has appointed Maria Grivas as CEO replacing Katie Rigg-Smith who was recently promoted to chief strategy officer of WPP after 23 years with Mindshare. Grivas joins from IPG Mediabrands-owned Reprise, where she also held the position of CEO. The new position will take effect in October.
“I am passionate about the very valuable role media agencies play towards marketing effectiveness for brands, and I am so aligned with the legacy created by Katie towards this ambition,” said Grivas.
“What I love about where Mindshare is heading with ‘Good Growth’ is the conscious redefinition of effectiveness for the 21st Century.
“I am eager to focus on growth that places value on purpose over profit; that drives brands forward in their ESG goals; and most importantly, growth that enables our people’s wellbeing, their resilience and ultimately equips them with capabilities for the future.
“In my mind, this is precisely what we mean when we speak to ‘the agency of the future’ and I am so energised to shape this with Mindshare.”
Rigg-Smith added: “I know I leave Mindshare in the best possible hands with Maria taking the lead.
“Maria is a unique talent with the perfect blend of EQ and IQ and exactly what Mindshare needs to take the agency into the next chapter.”
According to a release, Mindshare closed $400m in media investment billings in the region and counts some of Australia’s biggest brands among its clients, including Foxtel, Streamotion, Tourism New Zealand, Nike, Treasury Wines Estate, IKEA, Volvo, University of Melbourne, Kimberly Clark, Craveable Brands and General Mills.
“We were looking for a highly empathic leader to shape the next era of Mindshare’s product and culture proposition and we are thrilled that Maria fits that bill so well,” said Aimee Buchanan, GroupM CEO.
“Maria brings with her a unique blend of high emotional intelligence, coupled with the smarts to build on what Katie and the team have established in Mindshare ANZ.”
