Sydney, Australia – Creative transformation company WPP has promoted Rose Herceg, former chief strategy officer at WPP ANZ, as the company’s new president for Australia and New Zealand. Through her new role, she will be leading WPP’s business in Australia and New Zealand, supporting agency CEOs, promoting WPP’s collective capabilities and bringing together people and resources on behalf of clients.
As part of her promotion, Chris Rollinson, previously WPP ANZ’s chief financial officer, becomes the chief operating officer, and Tim Matheson will lead WPP’s technology strategy in the market as the new chief technology officer.
Herceg was the founder of Pophouse, an Australian agency for innovation, social trends and business strategy, which she sold to communication company STW Group in 2007. She joined STW as a strategic consultant, and became chief strategy officer of WPP AUNZ following the WPP merger with STW in 2016.
During her stint as WPP ANZ’s chief strategy officer, she has led client-facing activity at the WPP level, helping to deliver the company’s integrated offer of communications, experience, commerce and technology across its network of agencies. She has supported many WPP agencies in successful pitches for new clients, including The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bankwest, Star Entertainment Group and Vodafone.
Speaking about her appointment, Herceg said, “Our people and agencies are what makes WPP the industry leader. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to work with them to continue building a culture of loving what we do and always reaching for outstanding results. I’m also thrilled to be working alongside Chris and Tim – two of the finest colleagues anyone could hope for – and all our fantastic agency CEOs.”
Meanwhile, Mark Read, CEO of WPP, commented, “[Herceg] is among the industry’s most respected leaders and I am delighted she has taken up this important role in one of our largest markets worldwide. We have fantastic agencies and thousands of talented people in Australia and New Zealand, and Rose’s job is to help them thrive so they can do great work for our clients. Her extensive marketing and agency experience, as well as a collaborative leadership style, will ensure we bring the best of WPP to our clients.”
