PHD Melbourne MD Simon Lawson to exit after 14 years

February 3, 2026 10:54

Simon Lawson departs the agency he helped found after almost 14 years.

PHD Melbourne managing director Simon Lawson is set to exit the agency after nearly 14 years.

Lawson was one of the founding members of PHD Melbourne, joining in 2012 as group business director for ANZ Bank.

Since then, he ascended the ranks to become general manager of PHD Melbourne in 2017, and subsequently managing director four years later.

He also helped win clients, including its now-largest account, Bunnings, the AFL, and Tennis Australia, the latter of which the agency is understood to have resigned before the account moved to Atomic 212 following a pitch.

PHD Melbourne is currently defending its ANZ account in an ongoing pitch.

Back in 2022, industry figures from listed PHD as having the second-highest agency billings nationally, with Melbourne making up 35–40% of that figure.

Writing on Linkedin after the story broke, Lawson confirmed his position had been made redundant, but noted he was “incredibly proud of all that we achieved at PHD Melbourne over such a long period.”

“I will forever value the relationships I’ve built with colleagues, clients and the media over the journey: It has been a privilege and I leave with many happy memories,” he added.

Lawson’s upcoming departure comes amid major structural changes at Omnicom following its US$13 billion (A$20.1 billion) acquisition of IPG Mediabrands.

Among the shifts, COO Kristian Kroon has taken on leadership of Omnicom Media Group Australia, while former OMD co-CEO Laura Nice moved to lead PHD Australia.

In a statement to Mumbrella, Nice said: “As PHD continues to refine its leadership structure, Simon Lawson will be leaving the business. We want to thank Simon for his contribution and leadership to our Melbourne office over many years and wish him every success for the future.”

The reshuffle also left Sian Whitnall as the sole CEO of OMD Australia and positioned former PHD CEO Mark Jarrett to take on Kroon’s former role of COO.

In another significant Omnicom move, UM CEO Anathea Ruys has departed, with Essencemediacom managing director and former PHD executive Stephanie Douglas-Neal appointed as her replacement.