Sue Squillace to head up media in newly created role at Attivo ANZ
Independent New Zealand-headquartered marketing group Attivo is investing in its regional media capabilities with the appointment of former Dentsu Media boss Sue Squillace to the newly created role of CEO Media, ANZ.
Squillace departed the Japanese holding company in July, after almost three years as CEO of Carat, and one year with an expanded remit as Dentsu Media CEO. The news of her departure came two months after Dentsu went to market for a new Carat CEO, as Squillace ‘s focus shifted to the group-wide role.
Based at Attivo’s Sydney office, in the new role Squillace will be charged with developing a multi-dimensional media model across the business, utilising existing capabilities and developing new solutions to “accelerate growth”.
Her appointment is effective immediately, with her initial remit set to focus on further developing 303 MullenLowe’s Australian and NZ integrated offering. Squillace will work alongside Perth and Sydney MDs René Migliore and Joanna Gray and the agency’s Mediahub Perth business led by Kylie Macey, providing high level and strategic media and audience advice. She will also sit on the 303 MullenLowe senior management team.
As the role expands, Squillace will also work with Attivo’s other businesses including Harvey Cameron on high-level strategic media approaches and integration, and new media capability development.
Attivo CEO Cam Murchison said the group was excited to have someone of Squillace’s calibre join the team, as it looks to elevate and embed strategic media thinking within its integrated offering.
“Sue’s appointment combined with our existing media and strategy capability will provide Attivo’s agencies with the strongest integrated media product possible,” he said. “We’re always looking for ways to create unfair advantage for our clients, and this new role not only provides the kind of high-level audience insights and strategic thinking that our clients are increasingly demanding, but also the opportunity to connect all our trans-Tasman clients to a truly integrated product.
“At 303 MullenLowe, we have some of the most talented creative and strategic brains in the country, led by chief strategy officer Jody Elston, chief creative officers Bart Pawlak and the recently appointed Damian Royce, plus strategic design expert Marque Kabbaz. With Mediahub Perth’s leadership in Kylie Macey and Sue’s appointment, we can now also boast some of the strongest media thinkers too.
“It’s another exciting chapter in Attivo’s ongoing evolution, as it continues to innovate and get ahead of market conditions.”
Squillace brings 25 years experience to the role, and prior to Dentsu worked for a number of large network media agencies including Spark Foundry, Starcom Mediavest, and OMG.
She said as part of her remit, she would be developing a range of different models for different clients, each tailored to specific requirements. Powered by Mediahub (providing buying, tech and digital capability), she said the media offering within Attivo’s businesses would provide “clients with media solutions and teams that are designed and work best for them, providing efficiencies and innovative work that adds real value to their business”.
“I am really excited to be able to work in an environment where media will be core to the process from the early briefing stages along with the already established and outstanding creative, strategic, CX and digital talent across Attivo’s agencies,” she said.
Close to two years since Attivo acquired 303 Mullenlowe from IPG, the creative agency’s Perth operations have been undergoing what the business is citing at a leadership restructure. November saw joint-managing director Todd Baker depart the Perth agency after 11 years, followed by last month’s announcement that ECD Richard Berney and head of strategy John Linton’s would also be exiting to start their own business after a collective 25 years with the agency. The announcement also saw the installation of the agency’s first chief creative officer, in former Havas Melbourne ECD, Damian Royce.
Attivo’s other agencies in Australian and New Zealand include Harvey Cameron, Farrimond, Gorilla and Mediahub.
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