Mumbai: Social media technology company Snap Inc. has announced Ryan Ferguson as its new Managing Director (MD) for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), effective immediately. Ferguson steps into the role following his tenure as Snap Inc.’s Head of Sales, a position he has held since July 2024.
Ferguson succeeds Tony Keusgen, who served as ANZ MD since May 2023. Snap Inc. has not commented on Keusgen’s departure.
Ferguson brings extensive experience to his new role, having spent over 16 years at Google in various leadership capacities. His most recent position there was as Director of Mid-Market Sales for AUNZ, a role he held from April 2023 to July 2024.
Ajit Mohan, Snap Inc.’s APAC President, expressed confidence in Ferguson’s leadership, stating, “With Ryan’s relentless pursuit of delivering value for our clients and partners, as well as his demonstrated natural leadership, I am thrilled to have Ryan as Snap ANZ’s Managing Director. With Ryan’s proven track record and customer-obsessed mindset, I have great confidence that he will drive business growth, deliver outstanding results for our partners, and continue to grow and serve our community of 9.5 million Snapchatters across the ANZ region.”
Ferguson shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity, saying, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be leading Snap in Australia and New Zealand. Since joining the company earlier this year, the growth potential for Snap in this region has been evident, and I’m excited to be working with a refreshed team of talented, passionate people across the Tasman to realize this enormous opportunity. As we head into 2025, I’m focused on continuing to drive full-funnel results for our partners in Australia and New Zealand.”
This leadership change follows broader industry developments, including the Australian Government’s recently enacted ban on social media usage for individuals under 16, with platforms facing fines of up to $50 million for non-compliance. The legislation underscores the increasing regulatory scrutiny facing social media companies like Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook.
Ferguson’s appointment also comes amid Snap Inc.’s efforts to differentiate itself in the competitive social media landscape, a strategy highlighted in recent campaigns spearheaded by Colleen Decourcy, Snapchat’s Global Chief Creative Officer.
Ferguson’s focus on growth and innovation positions Snap Inc. to navigate these challenges while continuing to deliver value to its partners and users across the ANZ region.
