GroupM hires John Steedman to head Australia

Formerly GroupM chairman and CEO for Asia-Pacific, Steedman will now oversee the WPP media agency group’s offering in the market including Mediacom, Mindshare, MEC, Maxus and search marketing agency Outrider.

On the appointment, Mark Patterson (pictured right), GroupM Asia-Pacific CEO, said: “Once I'd worked out that we needed a very senior, market-respected Australian, with the particular style and personality to fit our own business needs and those of our clients, it was a no brainer that Steady was the perfect candidate for the job. He had been working as a consultant for us across last year so he has remained very connected to our Australian business.”

He added: “He’s very highly regarded in the market by our clients, the media community, our agency leaders and teams alike. And he comes refreshed and invigorated to lead our business."

Patterson described the hiring of Steadman alongside the appointment of James Greet as Mindshare Australia CEO last week and current trading head James Parkinson as a “dream team” of senior management in the Australian market.