Kate O’Ryan-Roeder appointed CEO of Havas Media ANZ

Havas Media ANZ has appointed Kate O’Ryan-Roeder as Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive search. The move marks a significant leadership shift as the agency continues to build on its strong growth momentum across Australia and New Zealand.

O’Ryan-Roeder joins from Mindshare ANZ, where she spent ten years, most recently as Managing Director, Sydney, and previously as Chief Client Officer. At Mindshare, she led a 150-person team, managed a bespoke agency for LVMH, and contributed to major client wins including MG.

Global experience and strategic focus

Before returning to Australia, O’Ryan-Roeder spent eight years at Mindshare Worldwide in London, where she oversaw global accounts for HSBC and Volvo and led global planning for Unilever. Her earlier career included positions at Gyro International and Mitchell Media.

As CEO, she will oversee Havas Media’s operations across Australia and New Zealand, with a focus on growth, data and technology investment, and integration across the Havas Village network, which brings together creative, media, PR, public affairs, and health disciplines. She will report to James Wright, Group CEO Havas ANZ, Global CEO Havas Red, and Global Chair, Havas PR Network.

Leadership perspectives

James Wright, Group CEO Havas ANZ, Global CEO Havas Red and Global Chair, Havas PR Network: “We were very humbled by the huge interest we had in the Havas Media CEO role and got to meet some incredibly talented candidates. Kate stood out from the get go with a wonderful blend of smarts, savviness and strong client and people skills. We are about to embark on a very exciting period of investment and transformation at Havas ANZ that will further showcase our difference in the market and Kate leading the Havas Media Network is going to be a huge driver of this.”

Kate O’Ryan-Roeder: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Havas team come January. What truly inspired and resonated with me was the sense of shared values and purpose and I'm excited by the unique Village approach – it's a powerful way to deliver exceptional results for clients and cultivate a truly collaborative and supportive environment for our people.”

Continued regional growth

Peter Mears, Global CEO, Havas Media Network: “We are delighted to have someone of the quality and strengths of Kate join the Havas family. Australia and New Zealand are important markets for us and we have big plans to further scale and strengthen our offerings in the coming months and years.”

O’Ryan-Roeder will officially start in January 2026. Her appointment follows a strong run of growth for Havas Media ANZ, including new business from Tangerine and More, Perfetti Van Melle, and Emirates globally.

Expanding presence in Australia and New Zealand

The agency recently opened its Melbourne Village, housing more than 90 staff, complementing the established Sydney Village, which includes over 300 specialists across nine agencies. Havas also operates in Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, and Perth, as well as Auckland, New Zealand.

Havas ANZ’s portfolio includes Havas Host, Havas Media, Havas Red, Havas New Zealand, Havas Blvd, Havas PLAY, CSA, H/Advisors APA, One Green Bean, Organic Publicity, Frontier, Bastion Brands (part of Havas Health & You), and Pulse.

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