Ex‑IPG Mediabrands CEO Mark Coad joins Andrew ‘Billy’ Baxter’s consultancy
Former IPG CEO Mark Coad joins Andrew Baxter at 24HR BP
Former IPG Mediabrands Australia CEO Mark Coad has reunited with his cousin and long-time industry figure Andrew “Billy” Baxter, joining him at boutique consultancy 24 Hour Business Plan (24HR BP).
Coad will take on the role of senior advisor and partner, providing consultancy across business strategy, leadership, governance and performance.
His appointment comes just one week after 24HR BP announced the launch of its UK operations, marking the second international expansion for the firm following its opening in Singapore.
It also follows Coad’s departure from IPG Mediabrands nearly three months ago, in the wake of the holding company’s acquisition by Omnicom.
Before joining IPG Mediabrands six years ago — where he oversaw agencies including UM, Initiative, Reprise and Magna — Coad spent several years with Omnicom Group, first as managing director of OMD Melbourne and later as CEO of OMD Australia.
He later served as CEO of creative agency Clemenger Harvie Edge before returning to the media sector as CEO of PHD Australia.
Speaking about the consulting firm in a press release statement, Coad said: “Billy has built a business that understands the realities of leadership today, and I’m excited to work with the team to help organisations move faster, think more clearly and deliver sustainable growth.”
Baxter, who joined Coad in a cousin-themed edition of Mumbrella’s Dynamic Duos, meanwhile described Coad as “one of the most experienced and respected leaders the media industry has ever produced”.
“This is a major achievement for 24HR BP. Mark brings deep strategic thinking, proven leadership at scale and an unrivalled understanding of how organisations grow, adapt and perform under pressure. His decision to work with us is an endorsement of our model and where we are headed.”
Baxter, who previously served as CEO of both Publicis and Ogilvy, first launched 24HR BP five years ago, having left his role as a KPMG senior advisor seven months earlier.
He also took over as chairman of Boomtown in August last year, an industry collective that spruiks the power of advertising in regional media.
