Kirsty Muddle has been appointed as the new CEO of Ogilvy for Australia and New Zealand, effective early 2026. She succeeds Sally Kissane, who left the position earlier this year. Muddle will lead all facets of Ogilvy’s operations in the region, which encompass advertising, public relations, social media, customer engagement, consulting, and health.
In her announcement on LinkedIn, Muddle expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, “It’s an honour and a great privilege to step into this role and lead one of the world’s most admired creative businesses.” Her extensive experience spans over 25 years in the industry, during which she has built and led businesses, demonstrating a proven track record.
Prior to joining Ogilvy, Muddle served as the CEO of Practices & Products at Dentsu, where she managed various sectors including creative, public relations, and customer experience. Before her tenure at Dentsu, she was a founding partner of cummins&partners, where she established a strong reputation for creativity over 11 years. Muddle began her career at Mindshare, accumulating nine years of experience in media across both the UK and Australia.
Recognition and Leadership Vision
Muddle’s leadership has not gone unnoticed; she has received accolades such as Woman of the Year and Executive of the Year on two occasions. Her involvement extends to significant boards, including the Australian Council of Advertising (ACA), the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA), and Ridgeway, an Indigenous social change agency.
Reflecting on her vision for Ogilvy, Muddle highlighted the importance of creativity as a driving force for business growth. “Importantly, they also never forgot why this business was born – the power of creativity to drive growth,” she stated. Her commitment to harnessing creativity, alongside the capabilities of both Ogilvy and its parent company, WPP, indicates a strategic approach to future challenges.
Global CEO of Ogilvy Group, Laurent Ezekial, commended Muddle’s appointment, noting her “undeniable track record of delivering real value and impact for clients.” He emphasized her keen understanding of the complexities businesses encounter and her ability to champion creativity as a solution to those challenges.
Her approach to fostering strong, trusting relationships with clients, while integrating diverse capabilities, positions her as an effective leader for this critical market. Ezekial remarked, “Her knack for bringing together diverse capabilities – from social and influencer to cutting-edge technology and data – creates truly impactful solutions.”
Industry Response and Future Prospects
The response from the industry has been overwhelmingly positive. Rose Herceg, president of WPP for Australia and New Zealand, described Muddle as a “standout choice” for the CEO role. She noted the search for a leader who embodies modern marketing principles, stating, “In Kirsty, we found that rare blend; a genuine love for creativity that moves mountains, coupled with experience harnessing the disciplines that creativity needs to thrive in a dynamic, fast-moving media landscape.”
Herceg added that Muddle’s entrepreneurial perspective is anticipated to bring significant innovation to Ogilvy, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to staying ahead in an ever-evolving market.
As Muddle prepares to step into her new role in 2026, the industry watches closely, anticipating her impact on Ogilvy’s future direction and success in Australia and New Zealand.
