Wavemaker acquires ex-Initiative strategy talent; shares internal promotions

BY Matthew Leong

February 10, 2025 3:37

Wavemaker acquires ex-Initiative strategy talent; shares internal promotions

Wavemaker has shared the latest strategy promotions and hirings for its team.

Kate O’Loughlin and Summer Treseder have joined the agency, from competitor Initiative.

O’Loughlin is an award-winning planning and strategy expert, who spent just over three years at Initiative, serving as its strategy manager and associate strategy director.

Prior to Initiative, she spent more than three-and-a-half years at PHD, filling several positions such as strategy and planning manage, and planning executive.

In her new role as strategy director at Wavemaker, O’Loughlin’s responsibilities will cover strategy development for clients “embracing creativity and challenging conventions” to deliver growth.

“Wavemaker has awesome momentum right now, and I’m super stoked to bring Wavemaker’s belief in ‘positive provocation’ to life alongside a team of truly incredible leaders and strategic thinkers,” O’Loughlin said.

(L-R): Kate O’Loughlin, James Boardman, Summer Treseder

Meanwhile, Treseder is also bringing her award-winning expertise to Wavemaker as its new associate strategy director.

Treseder’s time at Initiative spanned five years, and saw her work with Goodman Fielder and Amazon as clients. While at Wavemaker, Treseder will spearhead media planning and strategy for clients working in the FMCG, tourism and entertainment industries.

“I’m pumped to be joining Wavemaker and can’t wait to bring to life some amazing work for my clients that embraces the agency’s positive provocation approach,” she said.

“The opportunity to take on fresh challenges in a new agency environment drew me to Wavemaker – and their impressive new Sydney campus didn’t hurt either!”

“We are thrilled to welcome Summer and Kate to the Wavemaker family,” shared James Boardman, chief strategy officer at Wavemaker.

“They are part of a new generation of dynamic and award-winning strategists. Their proven track record of innovative thinking and award-winning work speaks for itself.

“They both share Wavemaker’s spirit of positive provocation and will play a key role in shaping the future of our clients’ brands.”

Group strategy directors, Bec Drummond and Marco Del Castillo, have also made moves, promoted to joint heads of strategy. Their roles will see them report to Boardman.