GroupM media agency, Wavemaker Australia, has made a number of leadership changes in its Melbourne office, with Stephen Drawbridge appointed as strategy partner, Kristy Kinzett as managing partner and Steve Thornton as head of planning.

Drawbridge, previously based in Wavemaker Adelaide for a decade, will relocate to Melbourne for the new role, where he will be leading strategy for Mondelez and other Wavemaker clients. During his time at Wavemaker Adelaide, Drawbridge shaped the strategic direction of clients such as Bridgestone, UniSA and the South Australian Government.

Kinzett has been promoted from her previous role as head of digital in recognition of her innovative and results-driven work on L’Oréal. She will be responsible for integrated digital and performance thinking across all Wavemaker campaigns.

Thornton has been with Wavemaker Melbourne for nearly five years, previously as planning director for Mondelez. In the new role he will drive the agency’s planning principles across all clients.

"The combined skill sets of these three talented individuals will offer Wavemaker clients innovative and transformative solutions, fuelled by our attitude of positive provocation. With this trio at the helm of our strategic output, I’m confident that Wavemaker Melbourne will play a key role in reshaping both the market and our business in this data-driven environment. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together," said Managing Director of Wavemaker Melbourne, Daniel Isaac.

Wavemaker ANZ CEO, Peter Vogel, said: "Promoting from within is a big part of Wavemaker’s culture of positively provoking growth for our people, our business and our clients. It not only rewards talented and committed people for their hard work, it also benefits our clients by ensuring continuity and the retention of valuable IP. In the case of Stephen Drawbridge, Kristy Kinzett and Steve Thornton, we’re incredibly lucky to have three of the best strategic minds in the business – together, they will ensure we are leading the way in our strategic advice to clients and how we are using the latest tools and technology to drive planning outcomes."