WPP Media has appointed Marcelle Hoyek to lead its EssenceMediacom client portfolio in Sydney, which includes Lion, HBO Max, Uber, Commonwealth Bank, KFC and UPI.
Hoyek joins from iProspect, where she led the Dentsu media agency for the past two and a half years as national MD. Last week, Dentsu shuttered its agency brands in Australia, leaving Hoyek without a role.
She starts at EssenceMediacom in July as the Sydney client managing director. Although not identical, it is similar role to that of former Sydney managing director Stevie Douglas-Neal, who led major client relationships and operations at the agency but recently left to join Omnicom as the new UM chief executive.
She brings extensive agency leadership experience, with a strong reputation for building high-performing teams, delivering commercial impact and fostering cultures where people and clients thrive.
Reporting to CEO Pippa Berlocher, Hoyek will lead EssenceMediacom Sydney’s clients, people and operations, working closely with the ANZ leadership team to accelerate growth and strengthen the agency’s position as a market-leading media partner.
“Marcelle is an outstanding leader with a deep understanding of the evolving role of media in driving growth. What I love is her genuine passion for people and delivering excellence for clients, and her hands-on focus on building strong, high-performing teams,”
EssenceMediacom’s Pippa Berlocher said.
“She brings the right mix of strategic rigour, empathy and ambition to lead our Sydney business into its next chapter. I’m thrilled to welcome her to EssenceMediacom.”
Hoyek spent nearly six years at iPropsect and is regarded as one of the industry’s most talented agency leaders. She previously held leadership roles at Initiative’s Sydney office, MAGNA Melbourne and group director roles at UM and MediaCom (the agency that merged with Essence to create EssenceMediacom).
“EssenceMediacom has built something incredibly special. It’s a business with momentum, ambition and a genuine commitment to people and clients,” Hoyek said.
“I’m excited to join the team and bring my passion, creativity and energy to help elevate what is already a brilliant business and partner closely with clients to help drive meaningful growth in an increasingly complex communications landscape.”
