Omnicom’s PHD has this morning announced that Mark Jarrett (pictured below) has been promoted to CEO of PHD Australia, as Mark Coad (main photo) leaves the agency after seven years at the helm.
Jarrett, formerly managing director of PHD, has been instrumental in agency’s success over the last three years, winning new business such as CUB, Virgin Australia and most recently Fitness Lifestyle Group.
Commenting on the appointment, Peter Horgan, CEO, Omnicom Media Group Australia and New Zealand said, “We are extremely grateful for the legacy Mark Coad is leaving across Omnicom Media Group. He leaves PHD in great shape with an experienced team who will continue to take the business forward. After an extensive search, it was clear that Mark Jarrett was the right person for the CEO role. Jarrett has already helped take PHD to the next level and I am confident he will continue to build further success for PHD.”
Jarrett said of his promotion: “Coady and I have had an amazing working relationship over the years, I’m extremely proud of what the business has achieved. We have a strong leadership team in place and some of the best talent in the industry. I am looking forward to this new challenge and am confident that we can continue our proud history of growth and success. It’s an exciting time to be at PHD.”
Coad has been with Omnicom Media Group for 16 years, the last seven of those with PHD. During his time the agency has grown dramatically in size, capability and reputation. The business has more than tripled in size in seven years and has won multiple clients and awards. Prior to his role at PHD, Coad was CEO of OMD.
Coad said of his departure: “I am extremely proud of everything we have achieved at PHD in the last seven years. Since Jarrett arrived in 2015, we’ve achieved some of our greatest accomplishments. In everything I do, I strive to leave things in a better place than I found them. I am very proud to say I’ve achieved that at PHD. That’s a legacy I share with many exceptionally talented people I’ve had the pleasure to work with here. They have become good friends and I leave with a heavy heart. It is time for a new challenge and new experience where I hope to achieve the same success I have had at PHD.”
The transition will be effective immediately. Coad’s new role is to be announced shortly.
PHD has also been recognised as the second most innovative media and marketing company by The AFR and been held up as an employer of choice at the Australian Human Resource Practitioner awards, when benchmarked against blue chip companies in Australia.
