The new CEO of UM Australia is Anathea Ruys, replacing Fiona Johnston.
Ruys has a 25-year international career in media business leadership and is currently executive vice president and managing director of Carat West Coast and Mid-West USA, as well as the lead of Dentsu’s West Coast office.
Johnston has been promoted to chief growth officer, Mediabrands, Global/EMEA, a new international role, and will move to the UK.
Ruys was managing director of Mindshare Melbourne from 2012 to 2014, previously managing director of Clemenger Harvie Edge and before that managing director of Spark PR Group.
“I have long been a great fan of UM Australia,” she says. “The agency has continually been a benchmark for industry performance, innovation and leadership. I am excited by the opportunity to join this talented team and to partner with the very impressive roster of clients to help drive their business growth.”
Mark Coad, CEO of Mediabrands Australia, says leading UM Australia to its next chapter requires an executive with rare credentials.
“Anathea was a stand-out media leader before leaving Australia to pursue her international career,” he says.
“Since then she has become a world-class talent in building collaborative, performance work cultures as well as business and team partnerships. She is the ideal CEO for UM’s future and will be a major contributor to the progress of the Mediabrands Australia group.”
