Samantha McLeod Joins ahm As Head of Marketing

Samantha McLeod has joined health insurer ahm as head of marketing, after stints in senior marketing roles at McDonald's and Coles.

"We're very excited to have Samantha on board at ahm," Sally Haydon, ahm's senior executive, told LBB.

"She’s brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, both locally and internationally, which is invaluable as we continue to differentiate ourselves in the health insurance market and drive growth."

Samantha first moved client-side in 2021 when she took the role of general manager brand, digital and design at Coles, reporting to then-CMO Lisa Ronson and playing a key role in the pitch that led to the appointment of bespoke agency Smith Street.

She joined McDonald's in 2023 as marketing director, working alongside CMO Chris Brown and launching the Original Mouthful campaign, which revived the Big Mac jingle. She left the brand in June 2024. 

Before becoming a marketer, she worked in agencies for almost two decades, at the likes of M&C Saatchi and Clemenger in Australia, and Ogilvy, Mother, and BBH in London. At the latter, she led the Tesco account, shepherding the brand through COVID, and winning an IPA Grand Prix during her tenure.

She said of her new role, "I’m excited to join ahm, a company with purpose at its heart—helping Australians live healthier lives. It’s fantastic to be part of such a talented and driven team, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together."

At ahm, she will work with creative agency Droga5, which was appointed in 2020 following a competitive pitch.

Her former team at McDonald's recently handed part of its creative account to Wieden+Kennedy, the US-based shop which set up a Sydney outpost to service the brand.