DDB's Former Global Chairman Joins Thrive PR as Strategic Advisor

Thrive PR and Communications has appointed Marty O'Halloran, the retired global chairman of DDB Worldwide, as its first-ever strategic advisor. The announcement was made on March 13, 2026.

O'Halloran ended a 40-year career at the Omnicom-owned agency in 2024, having risen from account manager at DDB Melbourne to global CEO and then global chairman, overseeing 10,000 employees across 90-plus countries.

O'Halloran's Role and Responsibilities at Thrive

In his advisory capacity, O'Halloran will support Thrive's leadership team across four areas: strategic growth, creative development, business connections, and mentoring emerging communications talent.

Thrive CEO and founder Leilani Abels said O'Halloran had led "one of the most awarded creative networks in the world." She added that his expertise will help the agency "innovate, elevate creativity and continue to focus relentlessly on adding value to clients."

O'Halloran described Thrive as having "strong values, ambitious leadership and a clear belief in the power of creativity and earned influence." Thrive's current clients include LEGO, Harley-Davidson, and Afterpay.

The agency is also recruiting for a Managing Director and Client Partner position in Sydney, indicating the advisory appointment is part of a broader leadership build-out.

APAC PR Consolidation Provides Competitive Backdrop

The appointment arrives as the Asia-Pacific PR industry undergoes significant consolidation. In 2025, Ruder Finn acquired Era Communications across five Southeast Asian markets, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar. FINN Partners acquired RICE Communications to deepen its regional network. HAVAS Red formed a Singapore joint venture with H/Advisors Klareco focused on crisis and earned media.

M&C Saatchi CEO Steps Down; APAC Clients Face Leadership Transition

M&C Saatchi's global CEO exits after restructuring the agency into five regions, with APAC now a strategic pillar. The incoming leader will directly shape the region's resources and growth priorities.

Mission MediaMission Media

Against this wave of acquisitions, Thrive's approach of securing senior advisory expertise represents a different path. The strategy prioritizes institutional knowledge transfer over immediate geographic expansion through mergers.

Singapore emerged as the preferred expansion hub for APAC PR agencies in 2025, with Australian firms LaunchLink and Third Hemisphere both opening offices there. O'Halloran's experience managing agency operations across 90-plus countries adds direct relevance to any future multi-market growth Thrive pursues.

Talent and Growth Ambitions Underpin the Appointment

Abels has stated a dual ambition for Thrive: to become "the number one agency that communications professionals come to grow and build extraordinary careers, and where the most ambitious clients in the world choose to partner."

O'Halloran's mentorship mandate directly supports the talent side of that goal. Among Asia-Pacific PR firms in 2025, top performers targeted 98% staff retention as a benchmark, with leadership instability identified as a direct risk to client and media relationships.

O'Halloran noted that the best agencies combine "strategic thinking, creative courage and a culture where talented people can do the best work of their careers." Thrive's concurrent search for a Sydney-based Managing Director suggests the agency is building the leadership layer needed to support that ambition.