BWM Dentsu has announced new leadership within its Melbourne branch as the business prepares for its next phase of growth.
After four years with BWM Dentsu Melbourne, managing director Mark Watkin is departing the agency to pursue a new opportunity.
Watkin joined in September 2013 from TBWA\Melbourne. Also leaving the agency is executive creative director Simon Bagnasco, who
joined the agency in April last year.
Belinda Murray will fill Watkin's role as MD. Murray first joined the agency as an account director in 2008.
The
agency has promoted Amy Hollier to the role of executive creative
director and Phil van Bruchem to associate creative director.
Hollier
joined BWM Dentsu as a creative director in 2011. van Bruchem has been
with BWM Dentsu for 18 months as a creative director,
creating work that has recently been recognised at D&AD, Cannes, One
Show, AWARD, Adfest and the New York Festivals.
Kimberley
Milburn has been recruited from Target where she was head of go to
market to become BWM Dentsu client service director and the lead
on the KMART account.
Says Paul Williams, CEO, BWM Dentsu Group:
"As the Melbourne office enters its tenth year in business, it's time to
refresh and create new career opportunities for some of the key staff
who have made BWM Dentsu one of the most respected creative forces in
the Melbourne and Australian market.
"For the partners of BWM
Dentsu it is hugely satisfying to reward and develop staff, who have
already played a major role in building our Melbourne business, with
senior leadership roles.
"Belinda Murray is a seasoned
professional who has managed the highs and lows of building an agency,
led numerous successful pitches, and has run some of our biggest
accounts. With Belinda, staff and clients know they are getting 150%
passion, drive and determination, and we're very pleased to offer Belinda the opportunity to put her own leadership stamp on BWM Dentsu Melbourne.
"Amy
Hollier has maintained a consistent high standard of creative integrity
and leadership for six years on many clients including Kmart. She has a
strong personal commitment to diversity in advertising and will bring a
fresh perspective to the leadership of our client teams.
"Phil
has made a significant and ongoing contribution to our creative offering
by helping lead a talented team of creatives across clients including
Kmart, realestate.com.au, Dr Oetker and Chadstone. His strong leadership
and experience has been reflected in BWM's recent successes at
high-profile award shows both here and overseas.
"Kimberley
Milburn joins us with a wealth of experience from both the client and
agency side, running big retail businesses and building high performing
teams. We are excited about the additional senior management perspective
she brings to the Melbourne team.
"This is a very strong team that just works incredibly well together."
Williams
thanks former MD Mark Watkin for his dedication during his four years
in the role: "Mark has led a solid period of growth for BWM Dentsu in
Melbourne and helped develop the talent that is now part of a
generational change. The BWM Dentsu partners are grateful to Mark for
his commitment to the brand during the four years he has worked with us.
"We
would also like to thank and farewell Simon Bagnasco as executive
creative director. We wish him the very best in his next role."
The
management transformation will ready the Melbourne business for
increased work from Toyota, as the brand transitions its marketing
operations to Melbourne in 2018, in addition to other opportunities with
Melbourne-based brands across retail, apparel, consumer technology,
health and financial services.
(Pictured L-R: Belinda Murray, Amy Hollier, Phil van Bruchem, Rob Belgiovane, Kimberley Milburn, Paul Williams)