Gavin Bain and Mel Wiese depart VML as the network restructures Perth leadership team

The worst kept secret in Perth was officially announced last night, with top leadership team Gavin Bain and Mel Wiese both leaving VML.

VML marked its official launch in Perth last night at The Reveley, with over 120 clients, suppliers, and media in attendance. The event represented a significant milestone following the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, spotlighting the agency’s newly refined and expanded service offerings.

At the event, it was announced that Adam Kennedy has been appointed Managing Director of VML in Perth, in addition to his current role as Managing Director of VML in Brisbane. This follows the news that Gavin Bain will depart the agency in August after a remarkable 15-year tenure, during which the agency evolved through various phases – Meerkats, Wunderman Thompson, and now VML.

Chief Strategy Officer, Melanie Wiese leaves the business after strategically leading the Meerkats and Wunderman Thompson business for 10 years.

Both Bain and Wiese also held leadership positions nationally with the Wunderman Thompson network – Bain as Australia CEO and Wiese as National Chief Strategy Officer. They also both have been recipients of the Campaign Brief WA Advertising Person of the Year award – Bain in 2014 and 2020, and Wiese in 2021.

Kennedy, who has led VML Brisbane for the past six years, brings extensive experience from Clemenger BBDO and AMV BBDO in the UK to his new role.

Other announcements were Andrew Kolb, appointed Head of Strategy for Perth and Brisbane, and Stu Turner appointed as Executive Creative Director across both markets.

Supporting Kolb in the Perth office will be Barry Walker as Acting Managing Partner and Head of Business Transformation, alongside Ellie Quinti, appointed in January as Client Services Director.

Reflecting on his time with the company, Bain, commented: “I leave the agency with the fondest of memories, and proud of what we collectively achieved across the 15 years of Meerkats, Wunderman Thompson and now VML. It’s the right time for me to exit the business after supporting the VML integration, which is now complete and ready to roll. My thanks to the whole VML team, our amazing clients, and to the many team members and friends that have been so supportive across the years.”

Thomas Tearle, CEO of VML AUNZ, said, “Gavin’s contributions during the merger have been invaluable. Over our time working together, we’ve become good friends—he’s a fantastic guy and will be missed by us all! We wish him all the best in his future endeavours and will cheer him on as he embarks on his next chapter. As we move forwards post-merge, we are incredibly optimistic for our business in Perth and can’t wait to build on the Meerkats/Wunderman Thompson legacy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Adam to his expanded role, confident that his leadership will bring a new era of value to our clients in Perth and WA. Following the successful unification of the Sydney and Melbourne offices in 2021, we’re sure this structure will flourish in Brisbane and Perth with Adam at the helm too.”

Adam Kennedy, Managing Director, VML Brisbane and Perth, added: “I feel very privileged to lead the incredibly talented team at VML in Perth, alongside my existing team in Brisbane. Gav and Mel have created a lasting legacy. I can’t wait to build on this with Barry, Ellie and the entire VML team, unlocking future growth of our clients through VML’s fully connected capabilities.”