Interim chief earns CEO role at peak industry body

Clare Kermond February 17, 2012

THE former head of marketing for Lion Nathan Australia, Margaret Zabel, will take over as chief executive of the Communications Council from today.

Ms Zabel takes on the role at the peak industry body for the advertising and marketing industries after acting in the position for two months.

She said the council would continue to strongly advocate for self-regulation of the industry, resisting moves for legislative controls.

Ms Zabel said a key challenge for the council's members, which included more than 200 agencies, was to strike the right balance between cost sensitivity and creative solutions in difficult economic times. She said the council would continue to work with its members on building reputations, investing in staff and involvement in industry awards programs.

In the short-term she will work on projects in the areas of agency search and pitching, the relaunch of the accreditation program and the AdSchool brand, and explore ways to lift the industry's reputation with clients and the broader community.

''In the context of a changing communications landscape, economic uncertainty and an ongoing interest in our industry from media and government, it is a very important time to galvanise behind common causes,'' she said.

Council chairman Anthony Freedman said Ms Zabel had shown an exceptional commitment to the organisation.

''She brings fresh thinking for the future as well as a 'client perspective' on many aspects of our work,'' he said.

''This will be essential in helping to deliver initiatives that effectively illustrate the contribution our industry makes to the economy, culture and society.''

Ms Zabel has worked at senior levels with companies such as Frito-Lay Australia (Pepsico), IBM and PetroCanada Oil.