WPP Media Appoints Kevin Kivi as Managing Director for South Australia

Why It Matters

Kivi’s proven growth record and international expertise position WPP Media to capture new revenue and deepen client relationships in South Australia’s competitive media landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Kivi brings 25 years global media leadership
• WPP Media targets growth in South Australia
• Horizon Media Canada grew 92% under Kivi
• Portfolio includes Mitsubishi, Adelaide University, Government clients
• Focus on integrated, agile client solutions

Pulse Analysis

South Australia’s media ecosystem is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digital adoption and a surge in local brand ambition. WPP Media’s decision to install a seasoned executive underscores the firm’s strategy to embed global best practices within regional markets. By anchoring its operations with a leader who understands both multinational brand dynamics and local nuances, WPP aims to differentiate its offering from domestic rivals and attract high‑value spend from government and corporate clients.

Kevin Kivi’s résumé reads like a blueprint for modern agency leadership. After launching Horizon Media Canada in 2017, he nearly doubled its revenue in three years while cultivating a culture recognized as the network’s top workplace. His Cannes Lions‑winning work on the Skittles Holiday Pawn Shop campaign and collaborations with giants such as P&G, Sony PlayStation and Mars Wrigley demonstrate a rare blend of creative flair and data‑driven strategy. This track record equips him to steer Wavemaker’s integrated media services toward more measurable outcomes for South Australian brands.

The appointment is likely to accelerate WPP Media’s growth trajectory in the state. With a portfolio that spans automotive, education, health and tourism, Kivi can leverage his global network to introduce innovative partnership models, programmatic buying and cross‑platform storytelling. Clients stand to benefit from a more agile, collaborative approach that aligns media spend with business objectives, while the broader market may see heightened competition as agencies vie for the region’s expanding advertising budgets.