The Communications Council announces changes to national board – Mark Harricks replaces Craig Davis as AWARD chairman

Following yesterday’s annual general meeting, The Communications Council has announced several changes to its national board.

Five directors will step down this month, with several approaching the end of their 2 – 3 year terms. Tom Dery (Worldwide chairman of M&C Saatchi), Peter Horgan (CEO of OMD), and current chairman, Anthony Freedman (founder of HOST), will all step down, along with Craig Davis (former co-chairman & chief creative officer of Publicis Mojo) who will also leave behind the role of AWARD chair, and Michael Ritchie (executive producer/managing director at Revolver/Will O_Rourke), who additionally leaves his position as AWARD deputy chair.

As membership of The Communications Council continues to grow in size and diversity, current Chair Anthony Freedman and CEO Margaret Zabel are eager to ensure members continue to be adequately represented at a national level. New appointments this year will therefore raise the total number of board members from 12 to 15.  

New board members include: Wilf Sweetland, (managing director of The Sweet Shop), Tom Martin (CD at Clemenger Melbourne), Joe Pollard (CEO of Publicis Mojo), Adrian Paul (COO of Whybin\ TBWA), Andrew Baxter (CEO of Ogilvy), Sophie Madden (CEO of MFA), Jaimes Leggett (CEO of M&C Saatchi), and Alan Taylor (MD of 303 Lowe Perth).

Sudeep Gohil (Droga5), who joined the board in December 2009, will now take over the role of Communications Council Chairman.

Says Freedman: “I am very pleased to see Sudeep Gohil appointed to lead the board. Having already shown great commitment and passion for our purpose over the past few years, he is an excellent choice and continues to demonstrate strong collaborative and “can do” leadership.”

Says Gohil: “It is a privilege to be appointed chairman of The Communications Council, and a role that I am passionate to take on. Since joining the board several years ago, I have seen many progressive and inspiring initiatives borne from the Council, and as our industry continues to evolve, I look forward to driving many more new initiatives forward to ensure our members are provided with the relevant services and support needed in today’s landscape.”

Current board member Mark Harricks (pictured) has further accepted the position of AWARD Chairman, while new members Wilf Sweetland and Tom Martin will support as deputy chairs of AWARD.

Says Freedman: “I would like to thank all of our board members for their guidance and support over the past few years. It has been a time of great change in our industry and I would like to think we have collectively taken The Communications Council from a notion born amongst a few people from the AFA, AWARD and APG, to a credible and important part of commercial creativity in Australia.”

New National Board

Andrew Baxter, CEO, Ogilvy

Chris Brown, CEO, DDB

Melinda Geertz, CEO, Leo Burnett Melbourne

Sudeep Gohil, CEO, Droga5

Mark Harricks, Executive Creative Director, JWT

Michelle Hutton, CEO, Edelman

Jaimes Leggett, CEO, M&C Saatchi

David Lo, CEO, Zoo Republic

Sophie Madden, CEO Media Federation of Australia

Tom Martin, Creative Director, Clemenger Melbourne

Iain McDonald, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Amnesia

Adrian Paul, COO, Whybin\TBWA

Joe Pollard, CEO, Publicis Mojo

Wilf Sweetland, Managing Director, The Sweet Shop

Al Taylor, Managing Director, 303Lowe

Margaret Zabel, CEO, The Communications Council