Rob Harvey Becomes Dentsu ANZ CEO as Patricio De Matteis Steps Down

Dentsu ANZ CEO Patricio De Matteis has stepped down, with New Zealand CEO Rob Harvey promoted to the role.

Patricio replaced Angela Tangas as CEO in 2023, following Angela's move to dentsu UK&I and the consolidation of 26 brands into five core agency brands: Dentsu Creative, Carat, Merkle, iProspect, and TAG.

The agency group said Patricio has guided "the ANZ business through a period of significant change", laid foundation for growth across data, technology, AI, and automation, and driven greater integration across the region. He "leaves with dentsu's best wishes."

APAC lead and global chief strategy officer, Yoshiki Ishihara, said the transition aligns with the business' mid-term management plan, and reinforces its commitment to staff and clients.

“Rob’s appointment marks a deliberate and confident step forward for dentsu ANZ, reinforcing our commitment to our people, sharpening the value we deliver to clients and laying the groundwork for more meaningful, impactful outcomes," he said.

"Rob is already deeply embedded in the business and brings a strong track record of building enduring client partnerships, leading with clarity and delivering results. His commercial acumen, deep client understanding and ability to unite teams across markets positions him well to lead ANZ into its next phase with discipline and ambition.

“This transition aligns to our Mid-Term Management Plan and focus on accelerating growth through Media++. I’d like to thank Patricio for his leadership and for establishing a strong strategic foundation across Australia and New Zealand, uniting capabilities and deepening our focus on future growth levers.”

Rob joined dentsu Aotearoa in 2011 as managing director of media, and since 2013 has led the business as CEO. He has implemented the integrated 'one dentsu' model in the market, and led the agency to success at the likes of Cannes, Axis, and Effies, in addition to being named a Supreme Winner at the HRNZ Awards.

He is president of New Zealand's Commercial Communications Council, and a board trustee of Make-A-Wish Foundation Aotearoa.

In the regional position, he will split his time across Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne. Creatively, New Zealand co-CCO Brett Colliver is currently leading the region in an interim role following the departure of Ben Coulson.

Rob said leading dentsu Aotearoa for more than a decade has "shaped me deeply, not only because of the results we’ve delivered together as a team, but the trust we've built with clients and the inclusive values-led culture we have fostered."

"As I step into the CEO role across ANZ, I see a powerful opportunity to build on the great work Patricio has done over the past 2.5 years, bringing the full strength of our network across Australia and New Zealand to accelerate how we create value for clients through more integrated, innovative and insight-driven solutions," he said.

Last year, the business restructured in AUNZ to two verticals: client counsel and commercial, led by Fiona Johnston, and product and practice, led by Kirsty Muddle.

"I’ve spent the past year working more closely with our Australian teams, closely collaborating with Kirsty and Fiona, and have been energised by the ambition, talent and hunger to lead," Rob added.

"This next chapter is about sharper focus, deeper collaboration and unlocking the potential that comes from truly operating as one. I’m excited to get started, and even more excited to do it alongside such outstanding people."

Patricio said he would mentor a quantum start-up, and said Rob is "the right leader" given he has been "instrumental in shaping the future direction of the business."

"After a lot of reflection and with deep pride in what the team has accomplished together I’ve made the decision to step down," he wrote on LinkedIn.

"When I joined in 2023, the business had just consolidated 26 brands into five, setting the stage for a more connected, future-facing organisation. Since then, we have made significant progress investing in data, tech, AI and automation to drive smarter operations and decision making for our clients and our business while bringing Australia and New Zealand closer together than ever before.

"It’s been a privilege of a lifetime to work alongside such talented, passionate people as the ones found across the dentsu ANZ business.

"To the dentsu ANZ team – thank you for your trust and belief. I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines, with huge respect and gratitude.

"For now, I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and helping mentor an exciting new quantum start-up. More on this soon."

At the start of the year, Dentsu Creative's Australian leadership team told LBB it is making strides towards its goal of doing "tier 1 work with our tier 1 clients." The growth of its PR and AI (through Tag) capabilities have allowed it to respond to the market fragmenting, Kirsty said.

“As the market is shrinking, from a core creative point of view, just in this country, we're capturing some of the fragmentation of that money into PR,” she explained.

“Not only is it good and aiding our core product, but it's also capturing the fragmentation of the market right now.

“Our economic position on this is that when the market is receding and retracting, we're in growth.”