Initiative Australia CEO Melissa Fein, managing director Sam Geer and chief strategy + product officer Chris Colter depart to lead media at Accenture Song

Initiative Australia CEO Melissa Fein is set to depart the agency alongside national managing director Sam Geer and Chris Colter, chief strategy and product officer. In a significant move, the trio will join Accenture Song to spearhead media.

A spokesperson from IPG Mediabrands confirmed the departures: “While we respect that there are many questions to be asked and answered, no further comment will be made at this time. Further details will be provided in due course.

“At this early stage, we acknowledge the tremendous contribution that Melissa, Sam and Chris have made to Initiative and the wider IPG Mediabrands company.”

Fein joined Initiative as CEO in 2016. Prior to that she was CEO of IPG Mediabrands’ partnerships and brand experience agency Ensemble.

Geer joined Initiative in 2018 as chief strategy officer. He joined from UM Australia, where he held the role of national strategy director. In 2020 he was promoted to managing director.

Initiative appointed Colter to the role of national strategy officer in April 2019. After 13 months he was promoted to chief strategy officer and then chief strategy and product officer. Prior to Initiative, he spent over seven years at UM Australia.