PHD Australia has reshuffled its leadership pack with two significant promotions. The Sydney MD Pia Coyle has been promoted to chief investment transformation officer, and group business director Ali Jones has stepped up into the Sydney MD role.
Coyle fills a void left by long-serving investment chief Joanne Barnes, who exited the business in March and has since joined Bastion.
At PHD for nearly four years as Sydney MD, Coyle hails from an investment background, having previously held senior roles at Avenue C, Ikon Communications and UM. Coyle is widely regarded in the industry and is a tarot card reader in her spare time.
She will lead the agency’s media partnerships and investment agenda, working closely with clients, media partners, and the broader Omnicom network to unlock new opportunities and drive greater value for clients.
Jones has been at PHD for five years as group business director leading one of PHD’s most diverse client portfolios, including Pepsi, Reckitt, 2K, Zurich and Merlin. Like Coyle, she has been considered a star performer at the agency during her tenure.
As managing director, Jones will take responsibility for PHD Sydney’s people, client partnerships, performance, and growth, building on the agency’s established culture and recent momentum.
PHD Australia CEO Laura Nice said the appointments reflected the depth of talent within the agency.
“We’ve built incredible momentum this year, and these appointments are about carrying that forward with two exceptional leaders who know our business, our people, and our clients.
“Ali combines strong commercial thinking with genuine care for people and a passion for the business that is hard to match. She has already made a significant impact across our clients, teams and culture, and I’m excited to see her build on that as she leads PHD Sydney into its next chapter.
“Pia has been instrumental in building the momentum we have today. Her experience, energy and deep industry relationships make her the right person to lead our investment offering nationally and create even greater value for our clients.
“I’m incredibly proud that both appointments recognise leaders who have grown their careers at PHD and show our people what is possible here.”
Jones said that she was incredibly proud to be stepping into the MD role.
“PHD has always been an agency with a real sense of ambition and energy, and that’s what drew me here in the first place.
“We’ve built some great momentum over recent months, and I’m excited to work with our talented team to build on that. For me, it’s about creating an agency our people are proud to be part of, our clients love working with, and the wider industry wants to work with too.”
Coyle added: “After four years running PHD Sydney in the MD capacity, I am so excited to be returning to my passion area of investment. We have all lived through a very tough market for the last few years, and I feel very energised by being able to come back in to deliver meaningful value to clients and do pioneering work with our partners.”
The appointments are effective immediately, with Ali and Pia working through a transition period to ensure continuity for PHD’s people, clients, and partners.
