UPDATED: John Sintras leaves SMG Australia after 30 years

Sintras had also recently taken on the task of leading the network's human experience strategy global team. 

He will be joining Mediabrands in a newly created role: global business development and product innovation. Sintras will report directly to Henry Tajer, newly appointed global CEO of Mediabrands. 

"It is an opportunity that is a logical next step for my career," commented Sintras. 

SMG has decided not to fill Sintras' chairman role in Australia, while the global role will be taken on by US-based Kathy Kline, a current member of SMG’s Global Product Committee.

“It’s been a long and truly amazing journey with SMG in Australia and globally," said Sintras. "I am enormously proud of the many milestones we have achieved together and I know that I leave the Australian business under the capable leadership of Chris Nolan [CEO of SMG Australia] and his executive team."

“[Sintras] has made huge difference to my career and personally I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with John and count him as a colleague and friend," said Nolan. "We all wish him well with his new adventure.”

Nolan will continue reporting into SMG President, Asia-Pacific, Mike Amour.

Sintras’s departure date from SMG is yet to be announced.

Updated on August 6 to include details of Sintras' new role with Mediabrands