KOJO appoints Jamie McClurg as new chair on back of strategic growth

KOJO has appointed Jamie McClurg as its new board chair as the sport, experiences and entertainment company targets new growth.

McClurg is the founder and executive chairman of Commercial and General and has been a shareholder of KOJO since 2018, playing a significant role in supporting the company’s growth across Australia and New Zealand.

With over 19 years at the helm, outgoing chair Steve Wise will continue as a director of the company and remain on the board supporting the company’s strategic growth strategy and chair transition process.

CEO Stephen Lord said McClurg’s appointment reflected the company’s strong ANZ presence and international growth ambitions: “The past three years in particular have delivered some exceptional results across our business services.

“Since COVID, we have been able to turn a significant and impactful event into a growth strategy across our business in sport, live experiences, and entertainment.

“Jamie’s acute understanding of our business, his acumen, and his global perspective will help us continue to deliver the best for our clients, build a great employee experience and drive our growth strategy.

“We would also like to offer our profound thanks and deep gratitude to Steve Wise for his leadership over the past 19 years. His input, experience, and guidance are a big reason why we are where we are today.”

Wise joined KOJO in 2004 as a shareholder and board chair. Over the past 19 years in this role, KOJO has grown significantly, now employing 125 staff with nine offices across Australia and New Zealand servicing clients around the world, and creating original IP for international audiences.

Says Wise: “It’s been an exciting time seeing the business grow from its office in Kent Town to a National and now an International business with leadership in Sport, Experiences and Entertainment production.”

I have enjoyed that journey and the opportunity of working with the many creative and skilled people that make up KOJO. In line with other aspects of my professional life, I felt it was time for me to make a change. The Board’s appointment of Jamie McClurg will ensure a smooth transition. I will continue to support Jamie and the business into the future as a Director and Shareholder and look forward to more exciting times.”

Says McClurg: “The growth of the business has naturally been very pleasing, but I think the thing I’ve most enjoyed watching over the past few years is how KOJO has continually challenged itself.

“The whole business has not been afraid to add new voices with divergent thinking and different skills, and so it’s no surprise that the executive, creative, and client delivery teams are all world-class. Beyond the senior executives, I am also very impressed with the up-and-coming leaders that are showing great signs of playing a major role with us over the years ahead.

“It’s a very exciting time for KOJO and I’m honoured to be involved in helping shape its future.”

KOJO has long-standing partnerships as the events and experiential agency for BMW, MINI, and Repco. The business also recently won a multi-year tender with Stadiums Queensland, adding to its burgeoning sporting footprint, including Blundstone Arena in Tasmania, Perth’s Optus Stadium, and Adelaide Oval. Its interests in the entertainment sector include original IP in screen production having just launched its first TV series Gold Diggers for the ABC & CBS as well as servicing post-production and visual effects work for Australian and US studios on feature films, TV series, and streaming platforms.