‘Of course he is polarising’: The relentless rise of Hamish ‘the Hammer’ McLennan

  • 📰 smh
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 75 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 33%
  • Publisher: 80%

Australia Headlines News

Australia Latest News,Australia Headlines

Hamish McLennan was Australia's advertising golden boy and rose quickly to the top of the Australian media industry. But his biggest challenge still lies in front of him | zoesam93

When Hamish McLennan arrived at advertising agency Young and Rubicam Australia as chief executive in 2002, he ripped up the floor, painted the office white and knocked down all the internal walls.

During his early days at Y&R McLennan became known as "the Hammer". No one can agree on where it came from. Some colleagues say it was because of his ability to get deals done quickly in the same way a hammer comes down at an auction. Others claim he hammered people who weren't performing. One person said he was relentless, like a hammerhead shark.

The origin of the nickname is not the only thing in dispute about McLennan. In the same way his bosses Rupert Murdoch and Sorrell have divided the industry, McLennan is one of the industry's most polarising executives.The Sydney Morning Heraldfor this profile and loathed by others. Several interviews began with a deep sigh or laugh. One call ended when his name was mentioned.McLennan doesn't tread carefully.

Among the ideas were a fresh set of ads for Yellow Pages, a new approach to bundling products and plans to target young people - a demographic Telstra was struggling to reach. "For Hamish it was real brownie points," says family friend and music promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who launched Live Aid. "All of the media agencies started to invite their big clients to Cannes. Y&R was always a big agency but it became a much bigger global agency under his chairmanship."

McLennan met his wife Lucinda at a party in Palm Beach as a teenager. They have two adult children, Olivia and Ted. The family has been a key reason for changes in his career.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

zoesam93 ha ha ha. you know you’ve really made it when you’re made boss of australian rugby! “Well it's high time (backing vocals) That you find The same people that you must use on your way up You might meet up (pause) on your way down.” - Little Feat.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 6. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

RA chief executive search on ice as Clarke extends time in top jobExclusive: Rugby Australia’s search for a new chief executive has been put on hold with interim boss Rob Clarke set to stay until at least March | tomdecent
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Tiger Woods one of host of stars to miss US Open cut, as four Aussies make itAustralians Jason Day, Adam Scott, Lucas Herbert and Cameron Smith make the cut as the Winged Foot course wreaks havoc with the US Open field. ETTD
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

COVID-19 restrictions cause decline in deaths in NSWExclusive: NSW's overall death rate has fallen in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as physical distancing and other restrictions protect the vulnerable from more than just the new virus. OH GO AWAY- THERE WAS A SPIKE IN LOCKED DOWN CARE HOMES IN MARCH AND APRIL, NOT MUCH SINCE, YOUR LAZINESS IS BEYOND BELIEF world_news_eng Vulnerable
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

NSW records three new coronavirus cases as Queensland border tensions simmerNSW's weekly cap on returning overseas travellers will soon rise by 500 as tensions with Queensland simmer over its border policy.
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »

‘I’m trying to answer’: PM quizzed on unemployment rate ‘peak’Prime Minister Scott Morrison says it’s “hard to say” whether unemployment will keep rising in Australia as coronavirus restrictions continue to ease and jobs return. Tell the truth. It was actually a stage managed recording from Friday. 1. It wasn't a grilling. 2 It wasn't this morning, it was pre-recorded. 3 He wasn't 'oressed' on the unemployment rate. Apart from getting all the facts wrong, good tweet. It was recorded on Friday. Wet lettuce treatment also. So that's two strikes with your story and I've not even opened it yet.
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

Blaming Trump for climate change is ‘ironic’ given two per cent emissions reduction | Sky News AustraliaEnvironmental policy expert Michael Shellenberger says it is completely unscientific and “crazy talk” to suggest temperatures rise and forests burn because Donald Trump is the president.\n\nMr Shellenberger said it’s ironic how climate activists level blame upon President Donald Trump for climate change when emissions are “lower now than when he took office”.\n\n“They declined two per cent last year”.\n\nHe said it’s a crazy notion to suggest Donald Trump is responsible for the current Californian wildfires given it takes “30 years or more for the carbon dioxide to translate to warming”.\n\n“It’s so unscientific and yet it’s clearly been given a pass because the media has been so bias on this because they hate Trump so much,” Mr Shellenberger said.\n\n“They basically want to ascribe every natural disaster, every fire on him.\n\n“It’s really the state’s fault that you have this huge accumulation of wood fuel, Donald Trump doesn’t have anything to do with that.”\n ShellenbergerMD realDonaldTrump Even the stuff Obama did is Trump's fault. Go figure. ShellenbergerMD realDonaldTrump Says a medical doctor! ShellenbergerMD realDonaldTrump He had a degree in Peace and Global Studies BTW. He is not a scientist. Nor is he a Doctor or psychologist. For a laugh, his twitter bio says “MD = my initials”. His opinions are for sale and the Republicans, and Murdoch press, are buying
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »