Omnicom Names New UM Australia CEO After IPG Acquisition
Omnicom names Stephanie Douglas-Neal as UM Australia CEO, replacing Anathea Ruys two months after IPG Mediabrands acquisition. Leadership reshuffle signals major post-merger integration underway ac...
Omnicom has appointed Stephanie Douglas-Neal as CEO of UM Australia, replacing Anathea Ruys just two months after completing its acquisition of IPG Mediabrands. The leadership change signals continued restructuring as the merged organization consolidates operations.
Ruys had led UM for four years after joining from Carat in Los Angeles. She also headed Omnicom's Fuse offering across Asia-Pacific during her tenure.
Broader Leadership Restructuring Underway
The departure follows exits of other senior leaders, including Omnicom Media Group Australia CEO Mark Coad and Asia-Pacific CEO Leigh Terry, indicating widespread organizational changes post-acquisition.
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In an internal memo to staff, Ruys acknowledged the transition. "Businesses change and evolve, and never more so than when there is a major change like the acquisition of IPG by Omnicom," she wrote. "So, it makes sense that leadership will also change and new structures will be implemented."
She thanked her team, stating: "It has been an absolute privilege to work with each of you over the past five years, and we have achieved some incredible things together."
Newly appointed Omnicom Media Group Australia CEO Kristiaan Kroon praised Ruys's tenure: "Anathea has led UM for the past four years with care, commitment and integrity, and has made a meaningful contribution to the agency, its clients and its people."
Cross-Agency Experience Shapes New Leadership
Douglas-Neal brings extensive media agency experience from competing networks. She spent seven years in leadership roles at PHD Australia, including as managing director until December 2022. Most recently, she served three years as managing director of WPP's Essencemediacom, leaving at the end of last year.
Regarding her appointment, Douglas-Neal said: "Stepping into UM at this moment feels like a once-in-a-career opportunity. The market is transforming quickly, and with Omnicom Media entering a new phase of scale and capability, this creates real upside for a business like UM."
Her cross-agency background positions her to navigate the integration challenges as Omnicom combines previously competing media networks under one organizational structure.
Post-Merger Integration Continues
The leadership changes reflect the ongoing consolidation following Omnicom's acquisition of IPG Mediabrands, which created the world's largest advertising group. The merger brought together competing media agencies and duplicate capabilities across regional markets.
WPP Media is currently recruiting for Douglas-Neal's replacement at Essencemediacom. The move represents another shift in Australia's media agency landscape as holding company consolidation triggers talent movement across networks.
Douglas-Neal assumes leadership as UM navigates client service continuity and operational integration under the expanded Omnicom Media structure.
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