Jessica Howse to Lead Publicis People and Culture

The former Zenith Australia executive will oversee talent and strategy for the agency group starting in January 2027.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of clean, modern corporate office architecture, representing a structural organizational appointment. — Publicis Groupe has appointed Jessica Howse to lead the agency group's people and culture division in Australia, beginning in January 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Publicis Groupe has appointed Jessica Howse as the new general manager of people and culture for Australia. She is scheduled to officially step into the role in January 2027.

Why it matters

This appointment marks a strategic shift in leadership as the agency moves to align its national talent programmes with its broader performance and wellbeing objectives. Howse will work directly with Australian leadership teams to drive the group's internal people strategy.

Howse brings extensive industry experience to the group, having served as the head of people and culture for Zenith Australia for a duration of two years prior to this promotion.

The players

Jessica Howse

She is the incoming general manager of people and culture for Publicis Groupe in Australia who previously led talent strategy at Zenith Australia.

Publicis Groupe

It is a global marketing and communications company that manages several major advertising and media agencies across Australia.

Pauly Grant

She serves as the chief talent officer for ANZ and APAC and will be the direct supervisor for the new general manager.

The details

Howse will report to Pauly Grant, the chief talent officer for ANZ and APAC, in her new position. She previously held various roles at major organisations including Nine, Crown Resorts, Seven, Betfair, and Football Australia.

Jessica Howse will assume her new general manager role in January 2027.

Market Landscape

This leadership change follows the pattern of internal management consolidation seen in the Publicis Groupe internal leadership restructuring of 2024. The move positions the agency to better integrate its talent programmes across its diverse Australian media and advertising portfolio.

While this appointment focuses on internal corporate structure, it signifies a potential change in the workplace environment for employees within the Publicis network. Staff across these agencies may see new wellbeing and performance initiatives introduced early in 2027.

The takeaway

Organisational growth is often driven by internal mobility of experienced leadership across established networks. Employees and stakeholders should anticipate a focus on performance and culture as new leadership priorities take effect in the coming year.