Wunderman Thompson exits continue; senior management made redundant as CEO returns to Asia
Wunderman Thompson has appointed a new CEO following Matt Parry’s return to Hong Kong with the WPP agency, Mumbrella can reveal.
Meanwhile, East Coast managing director, Nick Muncaster, and general manager, Paulina Embart have also departed the agency.
Parry’s decision was announced to staff on Friday, with Gavin Bain, current national consulting director set to take over as the agency’s new boss.
New CEO, Bain and outgoing CEO, Parry
WPP confirmed the moves to Mumbrella this morning, which are effective immediately, with Parry returning Hong Kong to lead the agency’s bespoke HSBC account. He joined in 2021 as Sydney MD.
The news comes just a week after former CEO and APAC chief growth officer, Lee Leggett was appointed as CHEP Network’s new CEO.
It is understood that Muncaster and Emart are part of a number of Wunderman Thompson staff to have been made redundant in the past few weeks. The agency did not provide a comment on the redundancies, however Mumbrella understands they are part of its continued transformation to focus on creativity, consulting, and technology.
Bain now becomes the fourth CEO in Wunderman Thompson’s four-year lifespan, after WPP merged its two creative agencies, J. Walter Thompson and Wunderman in 2019, part of a wider merger blitz by the group.
John Gutteridge was the founding CEO locally, following ten years as Australian and New Zealand CEO at JWT. He departed the agency in mid-2020, with his replacement Leggett then being promoted into the regional role just over a year later. Parry then moved into the CEO role at the start of last year.
Wunderman Thompson was formed by WPP in 2019
Bain said to Mumbrella: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this new role and lead such a talented team as we continue to drive further growth and greater impact for our clients. The strong brand and communications approach we’re known for has been strengthened with key capabilities, including business transformation, EX, CX, strategic design, technology, data, and commerce, all connected to help grow the ambitious brands we partner with. We wish Matt all the best with his move to lead one of our key global accounts in the region.”
The departing Parry added: “Wunderman Thompson will continue to grow from strength to strength under Gavin’s brilliant leadership and the team of outstanding individuals that make up the business in Australia. I’m proud of what this group has already achieved, and what is sure to come for them.”
Bain was formerly CEO of The Meerkats, a Perth-based agency, purchased by WPP and Wunderman Thompson in 2020. Bain then became managing director of Wunderman Thompson in Perth, soon after being promoted into the national consulting role.
Muncaster also leaves after a lengthy stint at the agency, initially joining JWT in 2014 as Melbourne general manager. He was promoted to Melbourne managing director in 2021, before being appointed Melbourne and Sydney MD in March last year.
At the same time, Embart was also appointed as general manager of the agency in Melbourne, previously running its Penfolds account.
Congrats Gav watch the rise of the agency
will the last person to leave WT please turn out the lights?