Accenture Song has promoted Bronwyn van der Merwe and Matt Michael to key leadership positions in Australia and New Zealand to succeed Mark Green, who recently relocated to New York to assume the global CEO role at Droga5.
Matt Michael will become CEO of Droga5 in Australia and New Zealand in December, following the integration of The Monkeys into Droga5. He has been with the agency since 2011 and served as managing director for more than a decade.
Van der Merwe, with over two decades of design and innovation experience, immediately assumes leadership of Accenture Song ANZ. Previously the company's service practice lead and founder of Fjord's Australian branch (later acquired by Accenture), she returned to Song after a stint as VP of Design at Culture Amp.
David Droga, global CEO at Accenture Song, said, “How lucky to be going from strength to strength in ANZ leadership. Bronwyn's integrated expertise and perspective, coupled with her deep commitment to both our people and our clients, makes her the ideal leader for this next chapter.
"Bronwyn's work at Fjord was instrumental in recognising the potential of combining creativity, consulting, and technology," said Green. "She's the ideal leader to usher Accenture Song ANZ into a new era." He also praised Michael's contributions to both The Monkeys and Accenture Song, calling his elevation to CEO "a well-deserved recognition of his instrumental role in their success."
Michael expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to relaunch Droga5 ANZ alongside Green and Droga5 global CCO David Nobay, aiming to "take the business to new heights."
Van der Merwe emphasised the "incredible talent and capabilities within Song," including recent acquisitions Fiftyfive5 and The Lumery, and the strategic importance of Droga5's launch in strengthening the agency's ability to drive client growth. "I'm honoured to lead Accenture Song's next chapter," she added.
The announcement follows a strong year of growth for Accenture Song, which recently closed out FY24 with $19 billion in global revenue.