Mark Coad leaves OMD to head up CHE

Clemenger Group has appointed Mark Coad as chief executive officer of CHE, in a move that consolidates the group’s commitment to closer collaboration between media and creative. 

As CEO of media agency network OMD Australia since September 2006, Coad strengthened the agency’s position in the market through a raft of account wins and industry awards, including the Grand Prix at the Media Federation of Australia’s 2008 Awards, Media Network of the Year at the AdNews Awards and Employer of the Year at the B&T Awards.  

Before stepping up to the CEO role, Coad was managing director of OMD Melbourne and prior to that worked at Mediaedge. 

In his new role at CHE, Coad will be returning to his hometown of Melbourne. His appointment by Clemenger Group to the helm of a creative agency signals the network’s belief that the separation of content and channel does not serve the best interests of advertisers. Coad brings decades of experience in media insight and agency management to his new post. 

He will continue as a board director of OMGA/NZ, representing the Clemenger Group’s interests. 

“CHE has a strong client base, including long-standing client Mazda and Village Roadshow, which require a united relationship between creative and media. I look forward to working with them to further strengthen their leadership in the marketplace through an integrated approach to advertising,” Coad said. 

Says Clemenger Group chairman Robert Morgan: “Mark Coad is the type of leader the future of this industry depends on; with a strong understanding of the relationship between content and access to audiences. I am confident he will steer CHE to greater heights by helping our clients achieve ongoing and lasting success.” 

Martin Griffin, current CHE Managing Director, becomes Chairman. CHE Chairman Ron Barnacle continues as Chairman of Clemenger Brisbane and will assume a wider role as a Director of Clemenger Group.