Following three years as CEO of The Communications Council, Margaret Zabel has accepted VP Marketing role at McDonalds and will be leaving The Communications Council at the end of December.

The Communications Council Board will commence a search immediately for a CEO to take the industry body forward in its next chapter.

Sudeep Gohil, chair of The Communications Council said: “On behalf of our national board and members, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Margaret for her vision, commitment and leadership over the past three years. Her dedication to promoting the value of agencies and raising professional standards has led to some fantastic achievements – the recent delivery of world-class IPA courses to the Australian market is a great example of that. This is an exciting next step for Margaret. We wish her the best and look forward to working with her in a new capacity in the future.”

Margaret Zabel said: “It has been a privilege to lead The Communications Council and work with our Chair Sudeep Gohil and the Board. It is an important organisation for both members and the industry as it helps establish professional standards, best practice and an effective self-regulatory system. It likewise is important in establishing continuous professional standards for the industry and the partnership with the IPA lays the foundations on a global level. I am grateful to have built a deeper understanding of marketing communications working with advertising agencies and production companies and plan to contribute ongoing to the betterment of our industry.”

Under Margaret’s leadership, the industry body has forged a number of important alliances including confirming an international association with the UK’s IPA and forming greater ties with the AANA and MFA through the development of collaborative best practice projects and industry events.

Over the past year Margaret has also undertaken a thorough review of The Communications Council’s professional development offering, introducing international standards for continuous professional development by launching IPA certified courses and qualifications in Australia. Additional key achievements include: the development of a major industry Reputation Study and the upcoming Economic Value Study, promotion of Gender Diversity through the launch of a dedicated group; the introduction of CEO Leadership Forums for members; and, establishment of the Public Relations Council and Commercial Producers Council.