OMD Elevates Planning Leadership with Two Key Promotions

OMD Australia announces the promotion of longstanding OMD leader, Thad King, to Chief Planning Officer, joining the National Executive Team

In his new role, King will continue to shape OMD’s nationally connected Planning community, working closely across the broader product ecosystem to unlock deeper value for clients.

Previously, King spent more than three years as OMD’s National Head of Planning, where he has been instrumental in raising planning capability across the agency.

During his 12-year tenure, he has championed craft excellence, led the evolution of OMD’s planning product, and driven consistently high standards of thinking at a national level.

Richard Garratt (L) and Thad King (R)

As part of the same leadership evolution, Richard Garratt has been promoted to National Head of Planning from his role as Comms Planning Lead. Across 13 years with OMD in the UK and Australia, Garratt brings deep client and category expertise.

Most recently, he has delivered sustained impact for a large-scale, multi‑brand client, and will play a key role in scaling planning leadership nationally with King.

Sian Whitnall, CEO of OMD Australia, said:

“Planning sits at the heart of how OMD creates impact for clients, and Thad’s promotion to Chief Planning Officer is a natural progression of his leadership of our business. He has taken the role of OMD’s planning to new levels – not just in terms of craft, but in how our product community comes together to deliver creativity and effectiveness.

Rich’s promotion recognises the depth of leadership he has built within OMD. He is highly respected for his collaborative approach, his rigour, and the role he plays in shaping the culture we foster at OMD.”

“Together, Thad and Rich represent the strength of our planning leadership today and what we aspire to for the future. I’m incredibly proud that both of these appointments come from within our agency, reflecting the impact both have made for our clients and our people.”

King and Garratt’s promotions underscore OMD’s sustained investment in planning as a core driver of creativity, effectiveness and product excellence. Their appointments further strengthen OMD’s interconnected product community, alongside Chief Strategy Officer Rob Frost, who joined the agency late last year, reinforcing OMD’s commitment to driving modern media creativity for its clients.

King said the new role echoes OMD’s belief in planning as both a creative and commercial force. He said:

“At OMD, planning has never been about silos – it’s about creativity in the craft of media, grounded in effectiveness, and helping brands navigate complexity with confidence.

I’m excited to step into this role at a time when our planning talent has never been stronger and product community is deeply connected. Our potential to create meaningful impact for clients has never been greater.”

Both appointments reinforce OMD’s ongoing commitment to developing leadership from within and to strengthen the communities that underpin its ‘We Create What’s Next’ positioning.