Kirsty Muddle has been appointed as the new CEO of Ogilvy for Australia and New Zealand. She succeeds Sally Kissane, who left the position earlier this year. Muddle will oversee all aspects of Ogilvy’s operations, which include advertising, public relations, social media, customer engagement, consulting, and health services.
In a statement shared 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, Ogilvy, across Australia and New Zealand.” With over 25 years of diverse experience, Muddle has a proven track record in both building new businesses and managing established organizations.
Leadership Experience and Background
Muddle most recently served as CEO of Practices & Products for Dentsu in Australia and New Zealand. In this role, she managed various sectors, including creative services, public relations, government relations, customer experience, and data technology. Prior to her tenure at Dentsu, she was a founding partner at cummins&partners, where she made significant contributions over an 11-year period, establishing a strong creative reputation for the agency. Muddle also spent nine years at Mindshare in both the UK and Australia, where she further developed her expertise in media.
Her impressive career has garnered recognition, having been awarded Woman of the Year and Executive of the Year on two occasions. She currently serves on the boards of several prominent organizations, including the Australian Council of Advertising (ACA) and the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA), as well as Ridgeway, an Indigenous social change agency.
Vision for Ogilvy
Muddle is set to begin her role at Ogilvy in early 2026. She emphasized the importance of creativity in driving business growth, stating, “Importantly, they also never forgot why this business was born – the power of creativity to drive growth. That enduring belief made Ogilvy feel like home.” She looks forward to collaborating with clients and leveraging the talent within Ogilvy and its parent company, WPP, to move the agency forward.
Welcoming Muddle to her new position, Laurent Ezekial, global CEO of Ogilvy Group, praised her exceptional capabilities, noting her “undeniable track record of delivering real value and impact for clients.” He highlighted her deep understanding of the challenges businesses face today and her commitment to using creativity as a solution.
Rose Herceg, WPP’s president for Australia and New Zealand, described Muddle as a “standout choice” for the CEO role. She remarked on the search for a leader possessing a rare combination of modern marketing insight and a passion for creativity, which Muddle embodies. Herceg expressed excitement about the fresh, entrepreneurial perspective Muddle will bring to Ogilvy, which is crucial for staying competitive in a fast-evolving media landscape.
Muddle’s appointment signals a new chapter for Ogilvy in Australia and New Zealand, as she brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking approach to the agency’s diverse portfolio.
