Dentsu has appointed David Halter as chief practice officer of Dentsu Creative and Vanessa Nicol as chief operating officer for Dentsu ANZ.
Halter previously served as Dentsu’s chief strategy officer and has been at the agency since 2022, when he joined from CHE Proximity (now Clemenger BBDO).
Nicol, who joined Dentsu as a consulting partner in 2021, has served as the Dentsu Creative APAC chief operating officer for several years, but will now focus on Dentsu ANZ’s wider operation.
She will oversee operations across the ANZ business, with responsibility for streamlining operations, AI-enhancements and innovative ways of working. She will work with Halter and the broader Dentsu leadership team.
Dentsu ANZ chief executive Rob Harvey said: “David and Vanessa have done an outstanding job stepping into their roles over the past four months, bringing clarity, care and immediate impact. Their leadership has been felt quickly by both our people and our clients, and their approach is strongly aligned with our values and ambition as a connected Dentsu group.
“They are both highly respected, tenured leaders within Dentsu, and their permanent appointments are a clear reflection of the strength of our internal talent and the depth of capability we have across ANZ.
“As we enter 2026 with confidence and momentum, David and Vanessa will play a key role in shaping the next phase of growth for Dentsu Creative and the broader Dentsu ANZ business.”
