Arrivals & Departures: OMD’s Kath Watson exits

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OMD New Zealand has announced that – after a 20-year career with Omnicom in NZ, the last 10 leading OMD – Kath Watson has tendered her resignation from her ceo role, effective in two weeks – on Tuesday 1 August.

She will not, however, be leaving the premises – staying on to support the business and the introduction of a new ceo, and will be involved in broader projects such as commercial and workforce planning.

Sydney-based OMD ANZ ceo Peter Horgan says the agency is in the final stages of appointing a new ceo.

“To minimise any client and staff disruption, Kath will work closely with the leadership team of Jane Stanley and Andrew Reinholds and myself,” Horgan says.


“We are delighted Kath has agreed to stay involved in this new capacity to help the broader leadership team.”


“Kath has been a long-serving, high-performing member of our business and helped create a great reputation for the OMD brand. I have enjoyed working alongside her and thank her for her huge commitment over the last 20 years.

“We are delighted Kath has agreed to stay involved in this new capacity to help the broader leadership team, which will see further success and growth for our staff and clients at New Zealand’s largest media agency.”

Kath Watson said: “Twenty years with one company is a long time by any measure. I have been lucky to have led an incredibly talented team over that time. Our sustained growth and award recognition is testament to the efforts of the inspiring and passionate people I work with every day and a wonderful group of clients across our Auckland and Wellington offices.

“But now I’ve decided it’s time to hand the day-to-day leadership of OMD over to a new ceo. I’m looking forward to helping him or her and the leadership team take our business to even greater heights.”

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