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Agency Restructures Highlight Evolving Growth Strategies in ANZ
VML Australia, a WPP agency, has initiated staff redundancies, including its Chief Growth Officer, as part of a strategic business review. This move signals a potential shift in how large agencies approach growth and operational efficiency in the competitive ANZ market.
What Happened
- •VML Australia has undertaken staff redundancies, including its Chief Growth Officer, Johan Borg, who joined in August 2022.
- •A 'small number of others' were also let go, with further redundancies anticipated.
- •This action is part of a broader strategic review and business restructuring within the WPP-owned creative agency.
- •The changes reflect an ongoing effort to adapt the agency's operational model.
- •The news was reported by Mumbrella on 5 May 2026.
Why It Matters for NZ Marketers
- •New Zealand agencies, particularly those part of larger global networks, often mirror trends seen in the Australian market.
- •The removal of a dedicated Chief Growth Officer role could indicate a shift in how growth responsibilities are distributed or prioritised within agencies.
- •NZ marketers may observe similar restructuring within their agency partners, potentially impacting client service models or strategic focus.
- •It signals a continued emphasis on efficiency and value delivery from agency partners, which clients will expect in NZ.
- •Local agencies might re-evaluate their own growth leadership structures in response to these regional developments.
Strategic Implications
- •Marketers should critically assess their agency partners' stability and long-term strategic direction.
- •Consider whether your agency's growth strategy aligns with your brand's evolving needs, especially concerning digital transformation and integrated services.
- •Agencies must demonstrate clear value propositions beyond traditional creative output, focusing on measurable business outcomes.
- •Brands should seek agency partners who can offer agile, integrated solutions rather than siloed specialisations.
- •Internal marketing teams might need to bolster their own strategic capabilities if agency growth roles become less defined.
Future Trend Signals
- •Continued consolidation and restructuring within large agency networks are likely across ANZ.
- •The traditional Chief Growth Officer role may evolve or be integrated into broader leadership functions focused on client success and innovation.
- •Agencies will increasingly prioritise efficiency, data-driven performance, and demonstrable ROI to secure and retain clients.
- •Client-side marketers will demand greater transparency and accountability from their agency partners regarding growth initiatives.
Sources
Editorial note: This analysis is original, AI-assisted editorial content. All source material is attributed with links. No full articles are reproduced. Short excerpts are used under fair dealing principles.
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