Kim Anderson Steps Down as Octagon Australia Managing Director

Former FIFA Women’s World Cup head of marketing Kim Anderson has stepped down as Managing Director of Octagon Australia, only months after taking on the role in February 2025. The seasoned marketing leader confirmed her departure on LinkedIn, citing an “unexpected opportunity… too compelling to pass up”.

Anderson’s brief but impactful tenure at the IPG-owned global sports consultancy coincided with the agency’s strategic push to expand its Australian footprint ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, a decade-defining moment for the nation’s sporting landscape.

Commenting on her step down, Anderson shared: “After an extraordinary few years in global sport, I was seeking the right mix of challenge, creativity and culture. Octagon has undoubtedly delivered on all three.”

She added that her time at the agency was filled with “bold creative work,” new client wins, and strong team growth, calling her departure “bittersweet” as the business stands “on the cusp of so many thrilling new partnerships and projects.”

Anderson brought over 20 years of marketing and advisory experience, having held senior roles at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Choice Magazine, and Smart Design in New York. She also co-founded TEDxSydney Impact and worked with Sydney FC, the SCG, and the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Octagon had hired Anderson with the clear intention of building brand visibility and commercial opportunities in Australia’s sport and entertainment sector, particularly in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032, which is projected to generate AUD17 billion for the local economy.

The agency is now seeking a new managing director to take the spot. The position, which reports to the APAC MD, involves steering client relationships, driving business growth, and leading a team of 16 through a “decade of sport.”

While Anderson has not revealed her next move, she expressed her admiration for Octagon’s legacy, stating she would be “cheering on from the sidelines” as the Australian arm enters a new phase of growth.

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