One of Australia’s top media buyers, PHD’s chief investment officer Joanna Barnes, has left the agency after 11 years.
Barnes departed a few weeks ago, and B&T understands has a new industry role lined up for May.
“After 11 years, I’m grateful for the opportunities to have achieved and learnt so much. Thank you to my PHD team (including those from the past) – you will always be people I admire, respect and will always look out for,” she said in a LinkedIn post.
“To the many media partners I’ve had the privilege of working with, thank you for being a critical part of the journey and helping bring to life work I’m so incredibly proud of. And to the clients over the years who trusted in pushing boundaries and trying something new even when it felt bold – Thank you for your partnership and belief.
“To my industry colleagues – thank you for the encouragement, support, friendship and kindness along the way.”
A PHD spokesperson told B&T: “We thank Jo for her contribution to PHD over many years and wish her all the very best for the future.”
Barnes joined PHD in 2014 as an investment director and worked her way up to investment chief under the leadership of former PHD leaders Mark Coad and Mark Jarrett. She has previously held senior investment roles at Carat and Mitchell Partners in a distinguished career.
Her departure follows a slew of senior exits across Omnicom since the holding company’s takeover of Interpublic last December.
In recent months, this has included PHD’s Melbourne boss Simon Lawson (who has since set up his own consultancy); MAGNA’s head of investment Janice Morgan (who has since moved to Spark Foundry); MAGNA’s head of product and innovation Ros Allison; OMG Facilitator lead Michael Pilz; and OMD head of performance and operations Nick Chin, who is the new media strategy lead for PepsiCo.
Former UM chief executive Anathea Ruys left the business in February and was succeeded by Stevie Douglas-Neal.
In December, IPG Mediabrands CEO Mark Coad and APAC chief Leigh Terry became the first high-profile casualties of Omnicom’s takeover in this market. They were followed through the exit door by IPG Mediabrands investment chief Lucy Formosa Morgan and chief finance officer John Clements.
Prior to the takeover, Omnicom reshuffled its leadership pack. Former OMD co-CEO Laura Nice became PHD CEO, while Mark Jarrett took up an Omnicom Media group role as chief commercial officer.
