Havas Media ANZ has appointed Kate O’Ryan-Roeder as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership transition for the agency. Kate joins Havas after a decade-long tenure at Mindshare ANZ, where she served as Chief Client Officer and most recently as Managing Director, Sydney. She succeeds Virginia Hyland, who stepped down in July following the completion of the buy-out period of her independent agency, Hyland Media.
Reflecting on her appointment, Kate said that she is thrilled to join the Havas team in January. She highlighted that what inspired her most was the sense of shared values and purpose within the agency, and she is excited by the unique Village approach, which provides a powerful framework to deliver exceptional results for clients while fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for employees. Kate expressed her enthusiasm about the bold and transformative vision for ANZ, emphasizing that she is eager to contribute to this new chapter.
During her tenure at Mindshare ANZ, Kate led a team of nearly 150 people, managed a bespoke agency for LVMH, and secured major new business wins including MG. Her international experience includes eight years at Mindshare Worldwide in London, where she led global accounts for HSBC and Volvo and managed global planning for Unilever. Earlier in her career, she held roles at Gyro International and Mitchell Media, which provided a strong foundation in media strategy and client management.
As CEO of Havas Media ANZ, Kate will oversee the agency’s national operations with a focus on further growth and investment in media while strengthening AI, technology, and data capabilities. She will also drive deeper integration across the Havas Village, which brings together creative, media, PR, public affairs, and health divisions. She will report directly to James Wright, Group CEO Havas ANZ, Global CEO Havas Red, and Global Chair of the Havas PR Network.
James Wright stated that the response to the Havas Media CEO role was overwhelming, with many talented candidates, but Kate immediately stood out for her intelligence, business acumen, and strong client and people leadership. He added that Havas ANZ is entering an exciting period of investment and transformation and that Kate’s leadership will be a key driver of the agency’s growth and differentiation in the market.
Kate’s appointment coincides with a period of strategic expansion for Havas Media ANZ, which has recently secured new business wins such as Tangerine and More, Perfetti Van Melle, and Emirates, reinforcing its growing footprint in the region and globally. Last year, Havas acquired Melbourne-based Hotglue, which is now integrated as part of Havas Media Melbourne. The agency also opened a new Melbourne Village, complementing the established Sydney Village, which houses more than 300 specialists across nine agencies. Additional offices and staff are located in Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Perth, and Auckland, New Zealand. Havas ANZ’s portfolio of agencies includes Havas Host, Havas Media, Havas Red, Havas New Zealand, Havas Blvd, Havas PLAY, CSA, H/Advisors APA, One Green Bean, Organic Publicity, Frontier, Bastion Brands as part of Havas Health & You, and Pulse.
Peter Mears, Global CEO of Havas Media, expressed excitement about Kate’s appointment, noting that Australia and New Zealand are important markets and that her proven ability to manage high-performing teams aligns perfectly with the agency’s ambitions. Maria Grivas, CEO of Mindshare Australia & New Zealand, praised Kate’s impact at Mindshare both locally and globally, highlighting her leadership, client dedication, and commitment to organizational culture, and extended congratulations on her new role at Havas Media ANZ.
Kate O’Ryan-Roeder will officially begin her role in January 2026, ushering in a new era of strategic growth, innovation, and transformation for Havas Media ANZ. With her leadership, the agency is expected to strengthen its market position, drive integration across the Havas Village, and continue delivering impactful results for clients across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.
