SYDNEY — WPP PR firm PPR has promoted Michael Pooley to CEO of its Australia and New Zealand HQ region. 

Pooley, who has spent the past three years as COO of the global firm, succeeds interim CEO Katrina Brangwin and will report to Kieran Moore, WPP's CEO of PR and public affairs in Australia/NZ.

Before joining PPR, Pooley spent a decade in London at agencies including Charles Barker BSMG Worldwide, Weber Shandwick and Four Communications.

"PPR is a great agency with a strong pedigree and the unique position of having local teams of experts across six cities in Australia and New Zealand," said Moore. "WPP AUNZ has a lot of ambition for PPR and Michael matches that ambition. He has a firm vision for the agency’s future, is committed to horizontality across the wider WPP AUNZ Group and his client skills are nothing short of excellent."

As part of its agency transformation, PPR is also rolling out a new brand identity and positioning, following the hire of director of planning and insights Allan Dib. The firm has expanded globally in recent years, and now counts a presence across Asia-Pacific, EMEA and North America.

Pooley's appointment follows a number of PPR business wins in the past 12 months including Woolworths, Subway, BWS and Colgate.