What you need to know:

• Tearle joins VMLY&R from Isobar where he led the Soap Creative and WiTH Collective mergers.
• Current CEO Jon Bird moves up to Executive Chairman.
• Tearle joins in May - WPP AUNZ CEO Jens Monsees.
• Reporting line also into VMLY&R Global Chief Marketing Officer Beth Wade.

Former Isobar Managing Director Thomas Tearle has been appointed VMLY&R Australia and New Zealand CEO following current CEO Jon Bird’s shift to Executive Chairman.

Tearle will join VMLY&R in May after a seven-year stint with Isobar where he led the mergers of both Soap Creative and WiTH Collective into the business. Prior to Isobar, Teale held senior roles with agencies in the UK and Australia including Wunderman (a WPP agency, now Wunderman Thompson), where he led the Coca-Cola partnership.

He will report to WPP AUNZ CEO Jens Monsees and VMLY&R Global Chief Marketing Officer Beth Wade.

Bird said, “It’s gratifying to be able to hand over the day-to-day leadership to such a high-calibre individual, to best answer what clients are looking for today.”

Monsees added, “Tom’s world-class experience in delivering truly effective connected digital experiences is a real boost to WPP AUNZ’s already impressive leadership capacity…Combining cutting-edge technology with our world-class creative capabilities is what sets WPP AUNZ apart, and Tom’s appointment is indicative of the strength of our vision. It’s also great to have him back in the WPP AUNZ fold.”

The incoming CEO said he was honoured to take the next stage in his career with VMLY&R: “After seven incredible years at Isobar, building the businesses in Sydney and Canberra, this is the perfect opportunity for me to help take VMLY&R to its next stage.”