What you need to know:

• Dentsu is bolstering its local sports marketing activity, increasing investment in its specialist agency MKTG.
• This includes the promotion of local boss Matt Connell, who will now lead the APAC region.

Dentsu-owned sports and entertainment agency MKTG has announced several senior leadership changes in Australia as it bolsters its investment in the category.

Current Australian Managing Director, Matt Connell, will now lead MKTG’s efforts across the APAC region.

Jarrad Provis has been promoted to General Manager, Marketing Strategy while Jeremy Francis is now Chief Operating Officer.

In addition, Stephanie Rudnick, former head of PR for the American football league, the XFL, has relocated from New York to Sydney and is rejoining MKTG to run the agency’s global communications effort.

She will also head up the newly-developed Hospitality and Events offering.

“Australia is an important and exciting market for MKTG and Dentsu, and Matt has done a fantastic job over the last five years building out a great team and an evolved service offering,” said Matt Manning, MKTG Sports & Entertainment Global CEO. “I also applaud the leadership for diversifying its capabilities.”