The confirmation that Matt McGrath, executive chairman of Y&R Brands, is leaving the agency has finally come from Y&R Brands chief executive Nigel Marsh.
McGrath’s departure has been expected since Marsh replaced him as chief executive in July. Marsh said McGrath’s departure was always planned following his appointment and that the decision was an “amicable one”.
“I have been here now for three and a half months, and that is enough time to get my feet under the desk,” Marsh said.
McGrath was appointed CEO for Y&R Brands Australia in 2006 when Hamish McLennan, former CEO of Y&R Brands Australia and NZ, was promoted to worldwide CEO of Y&R Brands. Prior to this he was group creative director and managing director of George Patterson Y&R Sydney and has worked with the agency for the past five years.
In recent months Marsh, the former CEO and chairman of Leo Burnett Australia and author, has made dramatic changes within the Y&R brand agencies. Two days after his appointment, Marsh replaced managing director Andrew Sargant with former Clemenger BBDO Sydney strategic planner Julie Porter. Most recently Marsh announced that James Procter from Cumminsnitro would become executive creative director at George Patterson Y&R Sydney.
George Patterson Y&R Sydney has suffered a number of account losses this year including the Telstra business which saw around a quarter of its workforce retrenched.
Other hefty pieces of business lost were Tourism NSW, Panasonic and the Foster’s account.
Marsh said no replacement would be sort for McGrath and details of his future were not disclosed.
Y&R Brands include ad agencies George Patterson Y&R, Wunderman, Ideaworks and PR agencies Burson Marsteller and PPR.
