Dentsu Elevates Queensland MD Chris Ernst to National Media Role
Queensland MD Chris Ernst becomes Dentsu Australia's chief practice officer for media after driving 30% headcount growth. Harvey's restructuring prioritizes internal promotions amid regional challe...
Dentsu has appointed Chris Ernst, its Queensland managing director for six years, as chief practice officer for media across Australia, effective immediately. The promotion follows Ernst's track record of delivering 30% headcount growth and record client satisfaction scores at the Brisbane office, now recognized as one of Australia's top agency workplaces.
Ernst will report directly to ANZ CEO Rob Harvey and relocate to Sydney to oversee Dentsu's media brands including Carat and iProspect. The move represents the first major leadership change under Harvey's restructuring strategy, which prioritizes internal promotions and flattened organizational hierarchies over external hires.
Regional Success Drives National Expansion
Under Ernst's leadership since 2019, Dentsu Queensland achieved recognition as an Australian Financial Review Best Place to Work and won B&T's 2025 State Agency of the Year award. The office recorded the highest internal engagement scores across Dentsu's Australian operations and earned exceptional client Net Promoter Scores.
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"Chris is a people-first leader who lifts the energy in every room," Harvey said in announcing the appointment. "I'm confident he will take the success he's driven in Queensland and scale it nationally."
Ernst's leadership style emphasizes team development, with three of his Queensland staff named Mediaweek Next of The Best finalists in 2025. He also received the publication's Executive Leader award the same year.
Restructuring Amid Market Challenges
The promotion forms part of Harvey's broader organizational changes since taking the ANZ CEO role in August 2025. Harvey, who previously led Dentsu's New Zealand operations for over a decade, has been simplifying executive structures and clarifying reporting lines across the region.
The restructuring comes during a difficult period for Dentsu globally. Reports indicate the holding company's attempts to sell its global business outside Japan failed, causing an 11% overnight share price drop. Australia was identified as one of Dentsu's worst-performing regions in third-quarter 2025 financial results.
However, Harvey previously stated the Australian business would return to positive growth in the fourth quarter, with verification expected when financial results are released in mid-February.
Talent Development Strategy
Ernst's elevation signals a strategic shift in how multinational agencies develop leadership across Asia-Pacific markets. Rather than recruiting external executives, Dentsu is creating clear internal career pathways to retain high-performing regional leaders.
Emily Cook, who succeeded Ernst as Queensland general manager, emphasized this approach in discussing the office's culture. "We want to make sure their time with us is the most transformative and support that growth," Cook told industry media.
The strategy aligns with broader changes under Dentsu APAC CEO Yuichi Toyoda, who assumed the regional role in January 2026 with a mandate for practice integration across markets.
Ernst's appointment also reflects growing emphasis on operational excellence over traditional hierarchical advancement in agency networks. His success in building workplace culture and client relationships in a regional market positioned him for national responsibilities, demonstrating how agencies are rethinking leadership development pathways across Asia-Pacific operations.
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