Aussie SME Appoints New MD Amidst COVID Crisis

GDR MEDIA GROUP BUCKS TREND AND APPOINTS INDUSTRY HEAVY WEIGHT TO DRIVE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PLANS.

Australian marketing and distribution company, GDR Media Group, has defied all the odds posed by the COVID-19 economic crisis and has appointed a new Managing Director to join its expanding business.

Former News Corp senior manager, Michael Wilbow, today takes up their new post to form a formidable leadership team that will transform and lead the company into the future.

The appointment came as international business data research shows a significant contraction in revenue numbers for the marketing and advertising industry as a result of the Coronavirus.

According to figures released last month by international research firm, Statista, the global economy is estimated to suffer a USD $2.7 trillion loss, with the advertising industry expected to lose at least $26bn. Ad spend is also expected to decline by over 50% in 2020 across all platforms.

With the industry facing a tough 6-12 months ahead, undertaking a restructuring and hiring a heavy weight was a gutsy move for the burgeoning Sydney company.

But GDR Group CEO, Daizy Gedeon, is well known for bucking the trend, and decided that providence could not wait and neither could her plans to restructure the company.

The former News journalist and award-winning filmmaker, Ms Gedeon admitted to having the “wind knocked out of me” by the coronavirus, but after recovering from the initial shock she realised there was no way to go but forward.

“I know the crisis will end, just like all other crises have, and I wanted to put the company in the best position to grow and benefit from the situation. The only way to do that was to continue with my big plans,” Ms Gedeon said.

 

“There is nothing like a “good crisis” as they say in the financial circles.”

Ms Gedeon said her plans were to diversify the business into two strong brand lines, delivering distinct but complimentary services and the appointment of a new Managing Director would ensure that.

Mr Wilbow, the former News Corp Australia, GM Sales SMB & Real Estate, Head of Sales at Australian Associated Press and Client Services ANZ and the Australian Radio Network as General Sales Manager, will take charge of GDR’s 40-year legacy Print & Distribution business and has a mandate to elevate, expand and dominate this market.

“I’m thrilled to be joining GDR Group at a time when their innovative spirit is positioning for the next phase of growth,” Mr Wilbow said.

 

“I am eager to build on the strong business foundations that have been set and expanding our services to meet even more needs of the market, further embedding GDR Group as a trusted business advisor, and the go to marketing agency.”

 

Mr Wilbow underwent an intensive three-month recruitment process and outclassed more than 90 candidates from around the globe to demonstrate his determination to win selection for this exciting role.

Ms Gedeon also advised that deciding to split the company was a big call but one that was long overdue to enable exponential growth for the business.

“It had been something I had been seriously considering since last year.”

“My vision is to keep building on the 40 years of GDR heritage. From our print and distribution grassroots to now offering our clients a myriad of media and marketing solutions, I, with my new executive leadership team, plan on evolving GDR to a multi-media, global conglomerate and ascertain global reach for our audiences.

 

“Our clients are at the heart of every decision we make and continuing to give them platforms to tell their stories has never been more prevalent.”

 

“The future is unpredictable at the best of times, but when you have a team of people with aligned values, strong ethics and a burning desire to make a difference, then you know you have a great chance at success. This is how I feel with Michael joining my leadership team,” Ms Gedeon concluded.

Please contact Joy Crawley, Group Account Director, for any media inquiries and to arrange an interview with either Daizy or Michael. 

Email: [email protected]
Ph: 02 9695 0500 or M: 0434 181 449

MICHAEL WILBOW BRIEF BIO

A veteran business leader nearing two decades in the media industry, with my passions being: People & Performance.

An advertising specialist, strategist and transformational leader with business management expertise in Digital, Radio, Print, Media Information Services and Marketing Agency Services with a career spent leading teams and connecting audiences with creative and innovative solutions to achieve strong commercial outcomes.

Seasoned in continuous improvement, transforming businesses and navigating rapid change in commercial landscapes across the 5 business lifecycles; Launch, Growth, Shake-Out, Maturity and Decline.

My market experience spans SMB, Corporate, Independent Agencies, Local, State and Federal Governments in Australia and New Zealand managing both transactional and subscription business models.

My 3 beliefs:

1. “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right”
2. “Great players don’t win championships, great teams do”
3. Extreme Ownership as a Leader

A more passionate people leader, business driver, creative and strategic advertising mind will be challenging to find.

And Founder / Co-Host of the podcast show:

Heart of a Leader…