Y&R Brands’ national business director Steve Doherty appointed MD of Y&R Group Melbourne

Steve Doherty, national business director of Y&R Brands, has been appointed managing director of the Y&R Group in Melbourne.

His promotion completes the restructuring of the business and follows the appointments of Naseema Sparks and Phil McDonald to run the Sydney and Brisbane operations respectively.

Doherty, will lead the Melbourne team of GPY&R, Ideaworks and the soon to be established digital agency VML. He also retains responsibility for the Adelaide and Canberra offices.

With strong credentials in business development, Doherty is most recently credited for transforming and leading the rapid growth of Patts Y&R digital offering.

Doherty will partner with executive creative director Ben Coulson who will have creative responsibility for the Y&R Group.

“I’m thrilled about this new chapter in my career with Y&R. We’re in the most exciting era of advertising and it’s great to be in the centre of it. We have made a significant effort to transform the Melbourne office over the past couple of years and we now have an unparalleled digital offering as well as a great creative portfolio of work in traditional channels.”

Y&R Brands CEO Russel Howcroft said that Doherty had been an able lieutenant for many years.

“There’s nothing Steve doesn’t know about our business and our clients. He is a trusted pair of hands, has a terrific new business track record and in partnership with Coulson I think they will plot a spectacular course for our Melbourne business.”