Ogilvy Appoints Max McKeon As Sydney ECD

Ogilvy has hired multi-award-winning creative Max McKeon as its new Sydney ECD, with the agency’s focus on return on creativity continuing to build momentum.

A globally recognised creative with a swag of high-profile campaigns under his belt including the much-lauded Superbowl ad, “It’s a Tide Ad”, Max joins from Special where he has worked on big-name brands including Uber Eats, Kayo Sports and Pepsi for the past four years. Prior to Special, Max spent time in New York cementing his global creative reputation at Saatchi & Saatchi, at Colenso BBDO New Zealand, plus Publicis Mojo and The Monkeys in Sydney.

Max’s work has been internationally recognised with Grand Prix at Cannes Lions, multiple D&AD pencils, including a legendary Black Pencil, One Show, Clio and LIA among others.

Ogilvy Network ANZ chief creative officer Toby Talbot said, “Max has no right to be the humble, self-effacing human that he is with a body of work like his. He has his name on two of my favourite ads of all time, ‘It’s a Tide ad and ‘I’m drinking it for you’. We’re incredibly excited to have him join the Ogilvy family at this time. Taking on the Sydney ECD role will allow him to develop his creative leadership potential even further. He can bring his formidable skills to our clients, people and culture.

“His curiosity for different-shaped ideas is a great fit for Ogilvy, and his desire to work closely with our other creative leaders across all disciplines of our business was a big attraction for him.”

As part of Max's role, he will work closely with ECD Bridget Jung, who will continue to focus on earned creativity, overseeing creative at Ogilvy PR, as well as leading the creative output of Ogilvy Health and Ogilvy One. He will also work side by side with other Ogilvy creative leaders in addition to Talbot and Ogilvy Network chief strategy officer Fran Clayton.

Ogilvy Sydney managing director Michelle Holland said, “Max’s passion for craft and his ability to connect with audiences across different platforms makes him a truly exceptional creative talent. He’s known for pushing creative boundaries and fostering a collaborative and inspiring work environment, aligning perfectly with Ogilvy’s values and focus on developing transformative and inspiring work. We’re excited to welcome him to the team.”

Max said of joining Ogilvy, “Ogilvy, as a network and locally, has really been hitting its stride in terms of talent, clients and the work. I’m very flattered that this wonderful team, at such a great moment, would lend me their coattails. It’s such a powerful and varied offering, and that makes for a very interesting playground. In the immortal words of David Ogilvy ‘I’m pretty jazzed’.”

Max starts in the middle of March.