After three years as chief executive officer Danny Bass departs IPG Mediabrands Australia

IPG Mediabrands the global media arm of Interpublic Group, has today announced that following three years in his tenure as CEO of IPG Mediabrands Australia, Danny Bass has resigned his position.

Says Bass: “At the end of last year I spoke to Leigh Terry (CEO, IPG Mediabrands APAC) about my plans for the future. Leigh was totally understanding and we both agreed that I’d leave Mediabrands in the coming months.

“These past three years have been a career experience that has far exceeded my expectations from when I took on the role at the end of 2015. Supported by an executive leadership team with the highest standards of management and skills leadership, Mediabrands has been transformed into a highly respected, performance-driven business with high degrees of flexibility in helping solve clients’ business challenges.

“There’s been massive structural and skills innovation, balanced with a clear pragmatism about what clients expect from their media agency partner. I am hugely proud of where the business is at this point, with the new clients that have joined us, and the strength of our longer-term client relationships.

“The Mediabrands achievements I am most proud of are the strides forward on people initiatives like gender balance, salary parity, maternity leave, diversity and equality. I am also a strong advocate for people’s choice in their work and personal lives, so at this stage I am following my own advice and taking a break.”

Bass joined Mediabrands as CEO in November 2015. In the past three years the group has attracted national clients including The Australian Government, Tourism Australia, Lion, Nestle, Government of New South Wales, Optus, Western Australian Government and AGL. The group has also been engaged by international appointments including American Express, Amazon and Johnson & Johnson.

Under Bass’ tenure Mediabrands Australia has grown in people count from 450 to nudging 700, and achieved the no.1 Media-i agency ranking across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Bass will remain in the Mediabrands business until approaching mid-year, working on a comprehensive transition with Leigh Terry, CEO IPG Mediabrands APAC. On Bass’ departure and until a new CEO is announced, Mediabrands Australia will report to Terry, who is based in Sydney. He is a former CEO of Omnicom Media Group ANZ and vastly experienced in the local market.

Says Terry: “Danny’s credentials as Australia CEO speak for themselves. We have discussed at length his decision, we fully support him and obviously wish him the very best of fortune in his time off and future career steps. Across all our businesses, Mediabrands Australia has world-class leadership and the highest standards of talent. Our clients and future progress is in solid hands, and I am looking forward to helping lead and support the group in the foreseeable future.”