IPG Mediabrands Australia group CEO Danny Bass has named Melissa Fein as the new CEO of Ensemble, the group’s creative, sponsorship and activations business.
“We are announcing a change in the leadership for Ensemble that sets the stage for new growth opportunities and a renewed focus for this very creative and partnerships-centric business,” said Bass. “We have an exceptional incoming CEO in Melissa Fein, who has a truly impressive business record in leading creative, media owner and brand partnerships to their full potential. I am simply delighted that Melissa has accepted the Ensemble CEO role.”
Since September Fein has been a key leader in developing strategy and implementation of network brand solutions for clients across the entire MCN portfolio including Ten and Foxtel.
For two years prior to that Fein was national head of Generate, Network Ten’s client solutions division that specialised in strategic and creative content creation, digital and social integration. In that time Generate created globally recognised integrated partnerships, such as the ground-breaking content series for Toyota Kluger that featured Modern Family’s popular dad, Phil Dunphy. Other major client partnerships have been created for properties such as Masterchef Australia, Shark Tank, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.
Fein said, “There is no limit to the potential impact of brand and media-owner partnerships that strike a powerful connection for people on any device. Ensemble is already a highly visible player and I am looking forward to both leading the business and collaborating with the other businesses at Mediabrands.”
Before joining Generate Fein led the launch of Mindshare’s ESP Australia, part of a global Entertainment and Sports Partnership group, which grew into a highly acclaimed business working for clients locally and regionally. Her career began at News Corp Australia. She later joined MTV Networks Australia and was moved to New York to join the MTV Integrated Marketing Team.
Fein starts work at Ensemble in March and will replace current Ensemble CEO Justin Ricketts and managing director Tim Hodgson who are leaving to pursue new opportunities. Mediabrands offers them both sincerest thanks for their achievements and we wish them well for the future.
