Maria Grivas has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Mindshare Australia & New Zealand, taking on the role from October.
The announcement was made by Mindshare’s parent company GroupM on Thursday, with Grivas set to bring her 20 years’ experience in the media and brand communications industry to the role.
Grivas is currently the CEO of Reprise, IPG Mediabrands’ digitally-led performance agency. Previously, she was Chief Data and Technology Officer at UM Australia.
She replaces Katie Rigg-Smith, who is leaving Mindshare after 23 years to become Chief Strategy Officer at WPP Australia & New Zealand.
“We were looking for a highly empathic leader to shape the next era of Mindshare’s product and culture proposition and we are thrilled that Maria fits that bill so well,” said Aimee Buchananm, GroupM Australia & New Zealand CEO.
“Maria brings with her a unique blend of high emotional intelligence, coupled with the smarts to build on what Katie and the team have established in Mindshare ANZ. She is passionate about baking purpose into the core of our proposition, which aligns so well with Mindshare’s Good Growth ambition.”
At Mindshare, Grivas will lead strategy and operations for the agency’s 250-strong network across Australia and New Zealand, as well as for Neo, m/SIX and L’Atelier.
Mindshare counts some of Australia and New Zealand’s biggest brands among its clients, including nab, Foxtel, Streamotion, Tourism New Zealand, Nike, Treasury Wines Estate, IKEA, and Volvo.
Speaking in light of her appointment, Grivas said she is passionate about valuing purpose at the agency, and the prioritising the wellbeing of people.
“What I love about where Mindshare is heading with ‘Good Growth’ is the conscious redefinition of effectiveness for the 21st Century,” she said.
“I am eager to focus on growth that places value on purpose over profit; that drives brands forward in their ESG goals; and most importantly, growth that enables our people’s wellbeing, their resilience and ultimately equips them with capabilities for the future.
“In my mind, this is precisely what we mean when we speak to ‘the agency of the future’ and I am so energised to shape this with Mindshare.”