Pippa Leary will join Swift Media as CEO from August. Current director Darren Smorgon has also been appointed Non-Executive Chairman, effective immediately.

Leary brings a proven commercial and digital track record, with more than 20 years' experience across Nine and Fairfax Media, as well as several non-executive roles. Prior to joining Swift, she was commercial director of Nine’s digital sales team, achieving the number one ranking in the Australian market during her tenure, and is the former CEO of APEX Advertising, a joint venture between Nine and Fairfax Media.

Prior to APEX, Leary held the role of managing director of the media division at Fairfax Digital where she was responsible for the launch of WA Today, Brisbane Times, The Vine and Business Day. During her tenure at Fairfax she was also involved in the acquisitions and integrations of RSVP, Stayz, Essential Baby and Weatherzone.

“I’m excited about the opportunity Swift Media represents," said Leary. "As a digital out-of-home marketing platform, the fundamentals of Swift are strongly positive. The team has built a profitable business servicing client with communication and entertainment solutions in the key verticals of mining, aged care, hospitality and health. The recent acquisition of Medical Media has allowed Swift to further diversify its revenue streams and move into adjacent markets.”

Darren Smorgon has served as a non-executive director on Swift’s board since February 2019, having previously served on the board of Medical Media for three years prior to its acquisition by Swift.

He is managing director of Sandbar Investments, a Sydney-based family office, and prior to that, spent 16 years at CHAMP Private Equity where he led several deals including the privatisation and subsequent re-listing of oOh!Media. 

Smorgon said "great foundations" built by outgoing CEO Xavier Kris and the management team "give Pippa as incoming CEO a fantastic platform from which to build a new type of media business, focussing in particular on providing quality, targeted content to closed loop environments, and to serve local and national advertising in particular to the health sector".

Once the Medical Media acquisition is complete, Swift will benefit from some 2,300 advertiser relationships, providing a platform to boost growth. 

Swift Director Robert Sofoulis noted Leary's "formidable track record of creating value" and said he looks "forward to her leading the next phase of Swift Media’s growth". 

He thanked Xavier Kris "for his valued contribution to the growth of the company during his tenure of three years as CEO – a period during which Swift achieved significant operational and strategic development".