GroupM’s Wavemaker has named Daniel Isaac as managing director of its Melbourne agency.
Isaac is a central figure in the Melbourne media market with more than 25 years’ experience in media and communications agencies. He has led some of the largest and most dynamic accounts in Australia throughout his career across a wide range of categories including Finance, Retail, FMCG, Telco, Government and technology. He’s also led agencies including PHD, and created innovative bespoke models for clients, including a dedicated full-service agency offering to service Nissan and Renault.
Isaac, who joins from Dentsu, where he was chief operating officer, replaces Nathan Cook who is taking on a client-side APAC role.
Isaac will lead the Melbourne agency which counts L’Oréal, Mondelez, Australia Post, Doordash, Jetstar, a2 milk, Honda MPE among its client portfolio, and be part of Wavemaker’s national leadership team.
Cook has enjoyed a 20-year career with GroupM. He has been MD of Wavemaker Melbourne since 2018, having previously held Investment roles within GroupM, Maxus (now Wavemaker), and before that Mindshare.
Wavemaker CEO, Peter Vogel, said: “Daniel is an experienced and well-respected Melbournian Media Agency leader, who will hit the ground running alongside our Melbourne team. His expertise across media principles, marketing science and technology paired with his experience with every major category and his entrepreneurial spirit, will ensure that we continue to work hand in glove with our media partners to drive innovation, value and growth for our clients.
“I’d like to thank Nathan for leading our Melbourne business for the past 3½ years, and on behalf of GroupM for his contributions to the group, Mindshare and Maxus, over his incredible 20-year tenure with the Group. His professionalism and dedication has helped Wavemaker grow into one of the leading Agencies in market, with an incredibly strong and talented team. We wish Nathan the very best in the next phase of his career client side, and I have no doubt he will make a great impact on their business.”
Isaac added: “What I’m most excited about is getting back to the frontline of what media agencies do, at an agency and network that has both growth and purpose baked into everything they do. I’m looking forward to leading a team of talented people with a growth focus and a passion for clients, diving into client relationships, which are at the heart of strong agencies, and making an impact for Wavemaker’s impressive portfolio of clients.”
Isaac will join Wavemaker on 1 May.
