Omnicom Media (OM) Australia has announced the appointment of Tom Kirkham to the newly created role of Chief Solutions Officer, a strategic leadership position designed to accelerate the company’s next growth phase through connected digital capabilities and integrated client solutions.
Kirkham joins from WPP Media, where he has served as General Manager, Partnerships, Data & Platforms. The move represents a return to OM for Kirkham, having spent most of his career with OMD in both the UK and Australia.
Working closely with David Gatt, Omnicom Oceania’s Group Managing Director, Marketing Operations & Ecosystem Design, Kirkham will help connect client strategy, operating models, data, technology and delivery into more scalable growth solutions for client partners.
Kirkham’s appointment reflects OM’s continued investment to build capabilities that integrate media, data, technology and strategy and AI-enabled offerings into cohesive growth strategies to help clients solve increasingly complex business challenges and deliver stronger commercial outcomes.
Kristiaan Kroon, CEO, Omnicom Media Australia, said Kirkham’s appointment represents a significant investment in the future of the business, and it was a coup to have him as part of OM’s leadership team.
Kroon said: “Tom is one of those rare leaders who combines deep technical expertise with exceptional commercial thinking, but what truly sets him apart is his ability to make the complex simple. He’s a genuine human being who excels at bringing clients, our teams and partners with him. As marketers face increasing complexity across channels, platforms, data and technology, Tom has an extraordinary ability to cut through the noise.”
Kroon continued: “This role is a clear signal of how Omnicom Media is evolving our structure and capabilities, harnessing the broader capabilities of Omnicom Oceania. Our clients are asking for greater simplicity, sharper specialist thinking and more joined-up solutions. We are investing in the leadership team that Tom will lead to connect that capability in a way that supports our agency leaders, strengthens our specialist teams and creates greater value for clients.”
Kirkham said he was excited to be returning to Omnicom Media at a time when clients are looking for greater simplicity, connectivity and strategic leadership.
“Returning to Omnicom Media in a leadership role designed to shape the next era of client solutions is an incredible opportunity. I believe brand growth will increasingly come down to how well data, media and technology connect as a system. I can’t wait to work with the talented people already enabling Omnicom Media’s solutions today to uncover new levers of growth. I’m grateful to the people, and for the depth of learning I’ve had over the last couple of years, which I’ll carry with me into this new challenge.”
Reporting directly to Kristiaan Kroon, Kirkham commences in his new role in October.
