Ex-Publicis Communications chairman + Publicis Australia CEO Andrew Baxter joins KPMG

KPMG Australia has appointed former Publicis Communications chairman and Publicis Australia CEO, Andrew Baxter, as senior adviser to the firm’s entrepreneurial customer, brand and marketing advisory (CBMA) business.

Baxter has proven himself as a strong strategic thinker who drives growth in his own and his clients’ businesses, and has been successfully leading major professional services firms for the past 11 years. He also has significant experience as a non-executive director. He will advise key CBMA clients on his specialty areas of brand and customer experience, as well as support the CBMA leadership team in the development of a range of new growth initiatives.

Baxter has worked with the executive teams of many of Australia’s largest companies and brands, across a multitude of industries including retail, packaged goods, sports and entertainment, automotive, banking and finance, gaming, tourism and travel, fast food, oil and mining, fashion, health, education and government. His previous role as CEO of Ogilvy Australia saw the agency create AAMI’s “Rhonda and Ketut” and Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaigns, as well as the campaigns to re-launch the Bank of Melbourne and promote the MYER IPO.

Baxter regularly writes about the future of marketing as a columnist at The Australian. He is one of LinkedIn’s Top 40 Australian influencers, and was recognised by Campaign magazine as one of the Top 5 Agency Leaders in Australia & New Zealand.

Baxter is the latest industry leader to join KPMG’s CBMA business since it was established in July 2017.  Other arrivals include partners Carmen Bekker (ex-JWT) Amanda Hicks (Acuity), Lisa Bora (ex-Google), Mark Hassell (ex-Virgin Australia) who joined as partners; directors Karen Halligan (ex-Zenith), Louise Pogmore (ex-One Green Bean), Melanie Evans (formerly GM of Business to Business IT at Telstra) and Nick Deverson (ex-AMR Australia); and associate directors Justin Gurney (ex-Publicis) and Stephanie Pemberton (ex-Qantas).

Says Paul Howes, partner-in-charge, KPMG CBMA: “In under a year our CBMA team has grown to over 100 people and is delivering work for some of Australia’s most forward-thinking organisations – Andrew will help us build to the next level. He is one of Australia’s most respected brand leaders with over 25 years of pushing the status quo when it comes to helping brands connect with their customers. He also brings unparalleled insights into how clients can bring maximum value to the brand and consumer value chain, as well as a compelling lens to help our clients reshape their customer conversations.”

Says Baxter: “I’m excited to be joining the fast-growing team at KPMG. The rise of the customer is reshaping how businesses operate, and now more than ever Australian companies need a “whole of organisation” approach to their marketing and operations.”

Baxter is also currently the chairman of two boards – the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Deakin Business School – and he is a non-executive director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian Pork.

Baxter commences with KPMG later this year and will be based in Sydney.