Former FCB MD Jane Wardlaw takes on Managing Director role at McCann New Zealand

McCann New Zealand has appointed Jane Wardlaw as Managing Director, as the agency continues to strengthen its integrated model and client leadership offering.

Wardlaw steps into the role six months after the merger of FCB Aotearoa and DDB Aotearoa, creating an opportunity to further evolve how McCann’s Auckland and Wellington teams operate as one connected business.

A highly respected leader within the agency and wider industry, Wardlaw is known for her commercial acumen, operational expertise and strong client partnerships. In her new role, she will lead McCann New Zealand’s business management community while working closely with the agency’s creative and strategy leadership teams to continue building integrated client models across creativity, content, data and media.

McCann New Zealand Co-CEO Paul Wilson said Wardlaw’s appointment comes at an important moment in the agency’s evolution: “Over the past six months we’ve focused on bringing our teams together and building a genuinely integrated business, and Jane has been right at the heart of that journey. She brings a rare combination of commercial smarts, operational excellence and genuine care for people. Most importantly, she knows that great client relationships and great work are built by strong, connected teams.”

Co-CEO Priya Patel said Wardlaw was exactly the kind of leader the business needs for its next phase: “Jane is hugely respected by our people and clients alike. She has a knack for bringing people together, creating momentum and helping teams do their best work. As we continue to evolve McCann, she’ll play a key role in shaping our culture and unlocking the full potential of this business.”

Wardlaw said she was excited to help shape the next phase of McCann New Zealand: “FCB was a huge part of my life and I’m proud of every bit of it – the work, the people, what we built together. Change like this gets people talking, which usually means something good’s coming. The talent in this place is incredible, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing what we can do with it.”

Wardlaw will also play a key role in strengthening collaboration across the wider Omnicom Oceania group, working closely with media and specialist capabilities across the network to deliver more connected solutions for clients.

The appointment reflects McCann New Zealand’s ambition to make it easier for clients to access the agency’s full capability, while creating greater collaboration, stronger career pathways and more room for its people to grow.

Wardlaw’s appointment is effective immediately.

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