BMW Melbourne’s head of planning has jumped ship to join UM as Melbourne head of strategy.

David Hearn (pictured) joins the agency in a newly-created position, reporting to UM Melbourne managing director, Kim Lion, and UM’s national chief strategy officer, Stefan Burford.

Burford said: “This is a new and important role at UM Melbourne and reflects our focus on building the most strategically capable media agency in the market. David is a highly experienced and awarded professional who has an outstanding track record in delivering high quality insights and exciting strategic thinking to clients.”

Prior to working at BWM, Hearn worked for Carat in Australia and the UK for nine years.

Lion added: “I am looking forward to having David’s strategic and creative thinking at the agency. He will have significant impact on our future capabilities.”

Hearn joins UM Melbourne tomorrow.