Dentsu Appoints Chris Ernst to Media Role

Dentsu enhances national media leadership by appointment of a senior CXO with attention to integration and client impact.

Dentsu has appointed Chris Ernst as chief practice officer, media, Australia, one of the most anticipated CXO personages in the Australian media business. As part of the role, Ernst will be the head of media operations in Australia to further integrate the media brands in Dentsu and help clients achieve better results by integrating the group capabilities.

The appointment is also an emphasis of gearing Dentsu towards building internal senior leaders, with Ernst being promoted after two or more years of positive-performance track records at the company. Being a CXO, he has strong industry experience of over 20 years in Australia and the UK with a knowledge base in media strategy, leading clients, and transforming the business.

Ernst has since come to Dentsu in 2019 as managing director of Dentsu Queensland and played a significant part in providing long-term commercial growth and a people-first culture. The Queensland business also recorded the highest internal engagement amongst Dentsu Australia under his directorship, as well as the highest client NPS scores and a number of industry awards.

Rob Harvey, the CEO of Dentsu ANZ, placed an emphasis on the fact that Ernst rose to the position of a CXO because he has the capacity to create high-performing teams and extend the success nationally. As the new CXO, Ernst will be reporting straight to Harvey and will be part of the Dentsu ANZ Executive Leadership Team and will move his base to Sydney in early 2026.