9 Execs On Sticking With Their Agencies Through Thick and Thin

Patrick Rowe never planned to be at Saatchi and Saatchi and Publicis for over 25 years. “I was actually 'acquired' by Publicis Groupe when I was working for a smaller agency that became part of the Groupe through an acquisition and merger,” the agency’s CEO told LBB. 

“During my 25 years at Publicis, I've actually worked for six agencies" including Leo Burnett, Publicis Emil, and Saatchis.

Nitsa Lotus, chief growth officer at TBWA\Sydney, has been with her company for “a bloody long time”: 18 years. She said the agency in its current iteration is “chalk and cheese” compared to the one she joined almost two decades ago.

She feels lucky to have worked with “some of the most talented individuals over the years,” including her boss, CEO Paul Bradbury (who’s been with TBWA for almost 19 years), who saw her potential when she couldn’t.

“The most fundamental change has been the culture. I can’t claim that alone, there is a strong leadership team who sets the tone, starting with Bradders," she said.

"It’s a team that deeply cares about the people, the work and our clients. I think the other side of building a culture are the clients we have attracted over the years – the two go hand in hand."

Nitsa has worked with Paul, who leads TBWA across AUNZ, and chief operating officer Adrian Paul, who has been with the agency for over 19 years, for the entirety of her career at TBWA. 

At Omnicom stablemate DDB, CCO Matt Chandler and CSO Rupert Price have been at the agency for over a decade apiece. Rupert has worked across both the Sydney and Auckland offices, across both DDB and brand consultancy Interbrand. Across that stretch, he has seen his fair share of highs and lows.

“But that is the truth of agency life, particularly when you look back over any long period of time. Agencies ‘breathe in and breathe out’ over time and knowing not to get too carried away in the good times and too discouraged in the tough times is what makes this industry such an intoxicating business to work in.”

Matt acknowledged that 10 years is a long time, however, he’s worked four or five different jobs during his time, including copywriter, creative director, and ECD before being promoted to CCO last year. 

“The only reason to stay anywhere is if you feel like you’re always growing, and really simply, that’s the answer,” he said. 

“Watching people I’ve had the pleasure to hire go on to do great things here and elsewhere is the most satisfying experience. When you meet someone, offer them a job, see them toil away and over time get the success they deserve – it’s amazing to watch – and to feel that you might have had some small part in it is always rewarding.” 

Other DDBers with notable tenures include Andrew Little (AUNZ CEO, 25 years), Leif Stromnes (managing director of strategy and innovation, 25 years), Mandy Whatson (managing partner, 17 years), James Blair (MD of Track and Tribal Aotearoa, 12 years), Sean Brown (MD at Mango Aotearoa, 12 years), and Nikki McKelvie (MD of DDB Group Aotearoa, 13 years).

Nikki said of her time at DDB, "I have worked with the DDB whanau for 13 years. It’s like a marriage, you either grow together or grow apart. We have experienced everything together - the highs, the lows and everything in between. The only constant is that you have to keep the passion alive, and keep working hard at it."

Justine Leong has been with AKQA for 15 years, across multiple agency incarnations - the latest of which is its merger with Grey. Justine has seen how dramatically the industry can change within a few months, let alone 15 years, and said if any agency remained the same, it simply wouldn’t exist. 

“Time builds something that can never be built overnight: trust,” she said. 

“Trust is powerful in an industry that’s unpredictable, moves fast, and requires big, often risky decisions. It’s the ultimate foundation of any relationship and the key to making great work. Even after 15 years, it’s the people — the trust we have in each other, knowing we’ve got each other’s backs — that makes this job a joy.

“It’s a place I know intimately, where connections run deep, and I get to see my fingerprints from the past continue to make their mark on what the agency is today.”

The agency’s ECD, Tim Devine, has also been at the business for 15 years. He didn’t get the job he intended to, but was instead offered a role that didn’t exist yet. 

“Early on, I was fuelled by projects — pushing creativity, experimenting, and seeing how far ideas could go. But over time, I realised that what really makes AKQA special is the people.”

Karina Munoz, GM at Amplify, joined after a six year stint in New York. What she didn’t know at the time was how integral Amplify would become to not only her professional life, but personal life too.

“I have been provided a level of flexibility and autonomy to carve out a role that speaks to my individual strengths and interests, whilst encouraging me to face and tackle the areas I find more challenging,” she said. 

Support and flexibility is something that Lincoln Grice, head of art and design, has also felt across his 11 years at BMF. (The agency’s CSO, Christina Aventi, has notably been there for 20 years, and CEO Steve McArdle 13.)

“I’ve always felt I could take creative leaps and present ideas that might scare clients,” Lincoln said. 

“If they didn’t land, I knew I had the support around me to not freak out about it. I can’t think of a more succinct way to sum up the many ways I’ve grown and been supported here.”

Each “new era” has brought with it "ideas that surprise and delight and generally make work that works,” he added.

While these execs have stayed loyal and stuck around for the long term, they have been energised by the influx of new talent around them. Patrick has grown his career alongside fellow Publicis loyalist, CEO Michael Rebelo (who’s been with the business for more than two decades), but also referenced his co-CCOs, who joined in 2023.

“It is such a famous agency brand and an advertising icon. I have the privilege of working with some hugely talented, creative people like Mandie and Avish, and every day brings something new. I'm still learning and am pumped for the next 25 years,” he said.

“We're all creative thinkers and doers, so no-one is better placed to embrace and adapt than us. It's what we do. Great ideas have always been the constant.”