Mindshare names Katie Rigg-Smith as CEO & Sharb Farjami as COO for Australasia

Mindshare today announced 2 major promotions from within their current senior management team. Katie Rigg-Smith is the new CEO Mindshare Australasia. Sharb Farjami is promoted to the newly created role of COO of Mindshare Australasia. Katie was previously the Chief Strategy Officer and has a wealth of experience at the agency over the last 14 years, was a star graduate of the original GroupM Momentum Leadership Program and most recently nominated as one of the Women to Watch in Advertising & Marketing. Sharb joined the company 2 years ago from Viacom and will retain his Trading responsibilities as well as working closely with Katie in the management of Mindshare.  A new strategy leader will be announced in due course to replace Katie.

Ashutosh Srivastava Mindshare Asia Pacific & Emerging markets Chairman/CEO said “I am delighted to have Katie and Sharb take over the leadership of the company. Our approach has always been to look within for leadership, provide accelerated growth to our brightest stars and groom them into senior positions early on.” 

John Steedman GroupM CEO/chairman said “It’s a testament to the breadth of talent at Mindshare that we can promote Katie and Sharb into these leadership positions. Both Katie & Sharb are outstanding talents and I know they will take Mindshare to the next level and continue to deliver Original Thinking to their clients.”

Katie said “I am incredibly excited by this opportunity and look forward to working alongside the Mindshare leadership team in continuing to focus on great thinking that delivers results for our clients' business”.

Sharb reinforced with his thoughts “I’m thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Katie and the current leadership team to continue MindShare’s dynamic growth.”

Both promotions are effective immediately.