Three of Starcom’s senior Holden account service staff, including the general manager of the agency, are departing to start up their own content creation agency, B&T Today can reveal.
Lewis Hearn, GM of Starcom Mediavest Melbourne, is leading the breakaway to form Hot Glue, which will be operational from the start of April.
Hearn will leave Starcom along with digital chief Nick Smith and account manager Joseph Pardillo. The trio all handled Starcom’s key client Holden, with Hearn also having responsibilities on the National Foods business.
Hearn’s brother Matthew, a leading film and TV producer, will also be on board for the launch of the agency.
Hot Glue will have a “diverse offering”, consisting of media, digital and content creation.
Hearn was reluctant to divulge further details, telling B&T Today: “Starcom has been fantastic about this and it’s all been very amicable, but at the moment we want to concentrate on carrying out work for our existing clients.”
Chris Nolan, MD of Starcom Melbourne, denied that the departures would adversely affect the agency’s relationship with Holden.
“Holden have been very supportive of the business and are appreciative of what the guys have done for them,” he said. “We have a great relationship with Holden.
“I’m fully behind what they are doing. The content space is very exciting and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
Nolan said that Holden was “very happy” with Starcom’s plans to replace Hearn, Smith and Pardillo, but refused to reveal whether the appointments would be made internally or from external hires.
