Communications Council Names J Walter Thompson’s Angela Morris Chair of the Account Planning Group

Executive Planning Director of J Walter Thompson Australia, Angela Morris has been appointed Chair of the Account Planning Group (APG).

Angela brings a wealth of local and international experience having built her career in London before moving to Australia where she now leads strategy planning across across J Walter Thompson’s Sydney, Melbourne and Perth offices. A passionate supporter of planning in Australia, Angela has held a position on the APG Committee for the past four years, recently taking on the role of Vice-Chair of the APG as well as Chair of Judging in this year’s APG Planning Idol Competition which will announce its winner on Thursday 12 November.

Angela said: “I am delighted to be appointed Chair. The APG plays an important role in ensuring Australia’s planning talent continues to develop and adapt in line with the needs of our industry - from providing the latest local and international learnings through our annual events calendar, to inspiring creative thinking through the APG Battle of Big Thinking, and our biannual Creative Strategy Awards and Planning Idol competition.”

Angela takes on the role from Jason Lonsdale, Executive Planning Director of Saatchi & Saatchi who has held the position since March and now leaves to take on a position with an independent agency in New York.

Jason said: “It has been a privilege to Chair the APG this year, and I would like to thank the committee for their continued commitment and support. The APG has a clear vision focused on preparing today’s planners for new fashioned strategic planning, and building a stronger planning community in Australia - I am thrilled to have Angela on board to lead that activity forward in 2016.”

Under Jason’s leadership, the APG has delivered six industry events in 2015, including the official Cannes Download Showcase in collaboration with News Corp, and seminars on data, creativity and effectiveness. Connecting the planning community further, a series of breakfast clubs has also run throughout the year, in a regular forum designed for exchanging and inspiring unexpected ideas.

Thanking Jason, CEO of The Communications Council, Tony Hale said: “In addition to delivering the APG calendar of 2015 activity, Jason has shown great commitment to raising professional standards in the area of planning, volunteering to Chair and set the agenda for our first IPA Strategic Planning course in April this year. The collaboration ensured the content of our primary planning course was aligned with the objectives and insights of the APG - those at the forefront of the field. It was a great success and we look forward to working closely with Angela and the APG to develop relevant and inspiring content for our 2016 program.”

Join the APG to celebrate the announcement of the 2015 Planning Idol this Thursday 12 November, at Bar 100, 100 George St The Rocks. Tickets available here