The Loop Agency winds down following Rowe illness Oliver Milman
Melbourne-based The Loop Agency has been put into “hibernation” after founder Jonathan Rowe was diagnosed with kidney cancer.
The agency has been wound down by voluntary administration.
Loop’s six-strong workforce, including senior art director Jason McQuoid and account director Kris Taylor, are understood to be in talks with other agencies about newpositions.
“It’s all terribly sad,” Rowe told B&T.
“I’ve been working zealously to find people other jobs. The best case scenario is that I’m cured within six to 10 months and we can re-ignite the agency and hope that our clients will want to work with us again.
“I hope to be back once I’ve sent this cancer down to the depths of Hades, where it belongs. Unfortunately, fighting cancer is a full-time job.”
Loop, which officially ceased trading on May 5, was dealt two blows this year, firstly by the departure of creative director Phil Ingevics and then with Rowe’s declining health.
Ingevics, who left in January to spend more time with his family, said: “There was plenty of support from clients to bring the agency back to life, but the severityof Jonathan’s illness meant that this wasn’tan option.
“The top layer of the agency has effectively disappeared.”
Rowe and his remaining staff have continued working for Carsales.com.au, a leading client, on an ad hoc basis, but the future agency arrangements of Loop’s seven other clients, including Cheviot Bridge Wines and Hudsons Café, is uncertain.
Loop’s business model differed from the traditional agency approach in that it outsourced work, rather than handle it all in-house. It’s understood that none of Loop’s clients have called pitches as yet to replace the agency. Administrators are currently in the process of ensuring suppliers are paid for outstanding work.
Rowe, who is 48, said that he has been “overwhelmed” by support from within the ad industry following his diagnosis. The Loop founder spent 10 years as a director at Clemenger BBDO, before moving to Mojo in Melbourne for a year. He previously spent five years at The Campaign Palace.
Rowe started Loop in 2005. It is not to be confused with digital agency Loopmobile.
