She has more than 15 years experience in the industry, starting in experiential marketing before moving to PR and events. She joined Red Agency in early 2017 when her previous agency merged with Red.
Ms Smailes is skilled in management, team leadership, financial management, business development, strategic planning and risk mitigation and is results-driven, commercially astute and champions the agency’s diverse culture.
She has a history in building and leading communications, PR, and marketing teams and organisations. Combining creativity, storytelling and technology to bring campaigns to life and create meaningful experiences for consumers.
Ms Smailes is also a board director of the Australian institute of Motor Sport Safety (AIMSS), with a specific brief to provide PR and communications expertise.
AIMSS is a not-for-profit organisation, established by Motorsport Australia as the peak body for motorsport safety and related research. It is directly linked to a global initiative to reduce road trauma.
She has created campaigns for leading brands including, Toyota, Lexus, Veritas, Symantec, Hino and the FCAI.
Havas Blvd comprises more than 22 communications and production specialists, including photographers, designers, video producers, event managers, digital services as well as traditional PR account service and speciality writers. She is additionally tasked with the role of Chief Client Officer at Red Havas.
In addition to the appointment of Ms Smailes to the role, Red Havas Australia has made other changes to its leadership team to reflect local opportunities and its global focus on key growth areas.
Red Havas managing director Steve Fontanot will take up a new role of commercial managing director for APAC that will include M&A and commercial partnerships.
He will support the Havas APAC leadership team on strengthening the PR offering in the region and will continue in his role as managing director of Havas Blvd.
The managing director of Red Havas role will not be replaced at this time, but a national managing partner bench will drive the strategic direction of the agency across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane offices.
Alex Bryant, executive director of Sydney PR, has been promoted to managing partner of consumer & brand, with a remit to drive the consumer and creative offering across the agency.
Sue Cook, practice head of health, has been promoted to managing partner of health and wellbeing supported by Nicole Phillips, executive director. Ms Phillips will join the senior leadership team.
Matt Thomas, executive director of corporate and public affairs, has been promoted to managing partner of corporate and public affairs, with a remit to drive the corporate PR, public affairs and employee engagement offering with an expanded remit across the leadership of the Melbourne office.
Haylie Marchant, executive director of Brisbane, has been promoted to managing partner, with a continued remit to grow the Queensland operation and expanded responsibilities across the agency.
By Neil Dowling
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