Edelman makes senior leadership cuts amid ongoing restructuring

Edelman, $1 billion revenue business, has announced redundancies, including the departure of three senior executives in Australia as it restructures around client needs.

The latest changes come after a 5% workforce reduction announced in December 2024, part of CEO Richard Edelman’s broader plan to streamline the firm’s structure and emphasize integration. Campaign Asia-Pacific learns that these changes are limited to Australia and not part of a broader global headcount reduction.

Among those leaving are Sydney-based Preya McMahon, head of brand; Melbourne-based Jana Tsiligiannis, head and director of corporate reputation; and executive creative director Jamil Bhatti, based in Sydney. The firm confirmed the changes in a statement to Campaign Asia-Pacific, calling them part of a strategic effort to "future-proof" the business.

"In line with our efforts to better meet our clients' evolving needs, we have made some changes to our team structure. As a result, this has impacted a limited number of roles within the firm. We are sad to part ways with these colleagues and are grateful for their contributions," an Edelman spokesperson said.

Bhatti, who joined Edelman as creative director in 2017 and was promoted to executive creative director in 2019, had been with the company for eight years. McMahon, who took on the newly created brand role late last year, was part of the agency's push into creative brand work. Tsiligiannis, with over three years at Edelman, was promoted to lead the Melbourne office in 2022, overseeing corporate and brand accounts.

The layoffs follow the recent departure of APAC CEO Warren Fernandez. Other recent exits include Simon Murphy, former head of business marketing for APAC, and Richard Andrew, APAC chair of public and government affairs.

Other leadership turnover in the region in recent years, includes the exits of former Australian CEO Michelle Hutton and APAC corporate head Susan Redden Makatoa, both of whom have since launched their own consultancies.