SYDNEY — Hotwire parent Enero Group has promoted Ian Ball to group CEO, the latest in a string of structural and leadership changes at the Australia-based holding company.

Ball, who joined the company as COO in February, assumes the CEO role July 2. His appointment comes as Enero consolidates its business around three core agencies — PR firm Hotwire, creative agency BMF, and digital and experiential agency Orchard — following the recent sale of its AdTech unit, OBMedia, announced earlier this week. 

Since joining Enero, Ball has lead the refinancing of the company, overseeing the OBMedia divestiture, and developing Enero’s FY26 growth plan. He has also made key senior hires across the group and introduced what the company calls a “renewed focus on operational excellence and value creation.”

“In a remarkably short period of time, Ian has stepped seamlessly into a complex leadership transition and immediately brought clarity, structure and momentum to the business,” said Enero Group chair Ian Rowden. “From leading the successful refinancing of the group to restructuring OBMedia, appointing new leadership and aligning our agency teams, he has demonstrated the kind of strategic foresight and decisive execution that’s essential in today’s environment.”

Ball’s promotion follows the May departure of Hotwire global CEO Heather Kernahan, who left the firm after more than a decade in leadership roles, including the past four years as global CEO. Her departure came as Enero refocuses Hotwire, and the agency's its brands along with ROI·DNA and GetIT, under its new focus.

Enero completed the OBMedia sale on Tuesday,  transferring its 51% stake to the existing minority shareholders.