Ogilvy Nabs Ant Simmons From Heartland
Ogilvy ANZ’s creative bench continues to expand, with highly experienced creative and strategist Ant Simmons (left in lead image) joining the Melbourne team in the role of group creative director.
With more than 20 years’ experience in creative leadership and branding roles, Simmons joins from Heartland where he was founder of the independent agency, working with an international client base including Mecca Brands Australia and Heineken Asia Pacific. He also worked on the launch of sexual consent advocacy campaign Teach Us Consent, lead by Chanel Contos.
Simmons was also previously Creative Director at Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne, responsible for delivering integrated thinking across traditional and non-traditional formats. This resulted in the delivery of awarded work for Myer, Deadly & Proud for Treaty, plus leading the re-brand of Belong and launching AFLW. Other senior roles including Asia-Pac Regional Creative Director at global branding agency Elmwood, and Strategy Director at Passport Brand Consultancy.
Ogilvy Melbourne ECD Hilary Badger (right in lead image) said Simmons’ unique combination of creative and strategic experience was reflected in his depth of thinking along the journey from brief to creative outcome.
“Ant brings world-class platform thinking teamed with global ambition,” she said. “As well as his exceptional ideas, we’re thrilled to have his craft skills within our strong team. Ant is also an outstanding creative leader, who can create growth not only for our clients, but for our team. As a mentor, he’ll have an eye on career development for both our existing rising stars and new joiners to Ogilvy”.
“I had the pleasure of working alongside Hilary for many years at Clemenger Melbourne and it’s great to have a strong working relationship already in place. Hilary has created a great space to do good work on arguably Australia’s and indeed the world’s most notable clients,” said Simmons.
In addition to his agency experience, Simmons’ passion for innovation led him to be selected for the US Embassy ‘Entrepreneurialism & Innovation’ program. As the only Australian representative for the IVLP International Leadership Program, he spent time in the US connecting with leaders in the entrepreneurial community, giving him access to start-up ecosystems across San Francisco, Austin, Chicago and Washington DC.
Ogilvy ANZ has made several other senior creative appointments this year; in May it announced that Clark Edwards would be joining as joint Sydney ECD with Bridget Jung, while Ogilvy PR promoted Miriam Wells to Chief Creative Officer, and Nina East to newly created role of Group Creative Director of Ogilvy Health. Hilary Badger was also appointed as Melbourne ECD in January.
Simmons starts as GCD immediately.
Latest News
VALE Dennis Merchant – A Giant Of The Media Industry
Dennis Merchant OAM, a pioneer of Australian independent media buying, passed away yesterday at age 82. Truly ahead of his time, Merchant started the first independent media buying agency in Australia in 1974. Merchant and Partners was a powerhouse media business initially representing smaller indies that didn’t have the media scale or clout of some […]
Gravity Media Australia To Deliver Crankworx Cairns For Red Bull TV
Gravity Media confirmed details for the global coverage of this year’s Crankworx Cairns. Gravity Media Australia will deliver the international broadcast technology and production outcome for Crankworx Cairns, the world’s largest mountain bike festival, from 22 to 26 May. Coverage of Crankworx Cairns will be delivered across Red Bull TV. Crankworx, a four-day festival of […]
Connecting Plots Nabs Former Saatchi & Saatchi Leader Craig Page
connecting plots has announced Craig Page as the new Strategy Partner as Tim Collier departs to pursue new opportunities. Lead image: Craig Page, strategy partner, Connecting Plots. Craig Page, esteemed integrated strategist and founder of strategic consultancy WeirdWorks, joined Connecting Plots as a strategy partner to lead the company’s strategic services. Page, who founded WeirdWorks […]
Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal Revive Core Values Campaign For Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton launched a new iteration of its storied ‘Core Values’ campaigns, captured by Annie Leibovitz. The campaign featured Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as they ascended to the summit of Italy’s Dolomites mountain range. The tagline reads, “There are journeys that turn into legends”. 3,000m high, Nadal and Federer are seen not as competitors […]
One Year Later, Is BAR Ogilvy’s Livingfont Making A Difference?
This International Biodiversity Day, ANP| WWF and BAR Ogilvy are reinforcing the importance of ‘The Endangered Typeface’ campaign to “protect all animal life”. When talking about the 6th mass extinction, can you really tell the difference a year makes? With the endangered typeface, a living font created in 2023 in a partnership with Associação Natureza […]
“These Issues Aren’t Unique To Our Industry”: Rose Herceg Chats To B&T Ahead Of Create Space Census Results
On Tuesday, 21 May, the Advertising Council Australia (ACA) will host an all-industry webinar to reveal the findings of the second Create Space census. Close to 2,500 professionals from advertising, media, and marketing participated in the anonymous census in November 2023, providing an updated picture of the industry’s demographics and experiences of diversity, equity, and inclusion. […]
Kieran Moore: ‘No Client Has Ever Asked For More Junior People On Their Account’
Kieran Moore is one of Australia’s most experienced public relations leaders, having most recently served as the CEO of public relations, government relations, experiential and design for WPP AUNZ, following a six-year stint as the CEO of Ogilvy PR. Now as the director and principal at comms and reputation management consultancy Brangwin and Moore, which […]
Zitcha appoints Josh Forsyth as sales lead to drive retail media growth across APAC
Following global expansion and continued strong local demand Zitcha appointed Josh Forsyth as APAC sales lead. Lead image: Josh Forsyth, sales lead, Zitcha. Australian-headquartered Zitcha, which operates across four continents in countries including the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, is looking to Asia as the next major emerging retail media market. In […]
Moët Hennessy NZ Adds Special PR To Agency Roster
Special PR has been added to Moët Hennessy’s roster of communications agencies in New Zealand following a competitive pitch. Special PR will be responsible for integrated communications for Moët Hennessy across its luxury brands, including Cloudy Bay, Whispering Angel, Veuve Clicquot and Glenmorangie. The scope of work includes media relations, influencer marketing, content creation, events […]
Dylan Alcott, Ellie Cole & Kurt Fearnley To Headline Nine’s Paralympics Coverage
They say Olympics is more aspirational & Paralympics is more inspirational, but B&T is here for goalball & murderball.
The Monkeys, Howatson+Co, VML Australia Win Big At The One Show’s Awards
A top showing saw Australia ranked fifth globally, well above our friends over the Ditch.
Readers Are Looking To Books For Escape – Should They Look To Adverts, Too?
Are you or someone you know a bibliophile? That's a lover of books & not an 80s paper filing system. Read on here.
TV Ratings (19 May 2024): Nine’s Travel Guides Goes Head To Head With Seven’s Farmer Wants A Wife
Love travelling to Kuta to watch the lads from the Currawong Goannas footy club whoop it up? Travel Guides is a must.
Sky New Zealand Initiates Process For Advertising Sales Representation In Australia
Sure, on the surface they pretend to despise us, but this news offering proves the Kiwis love of all things Australian.
Opinion: Queer & Present Danger – Australia’s Battle For LGBTQ+ Recognition Through Communication
Aside from this absolute cracker of a headline, Think HQ's Blake Mason piece is very important.
Val Morgan Digital Partners With Audigent To Connect Brands With Passionate Audiences At Scale
Cinema advertiser Val Morgan announces partnership with data platform Audigent. Neither commenting on the new Mad Max.
International Olympic Committee Launches “The First Effect” Campaign, Via Deloitte Digital
The Paris Games are a mere 64 days away. Let this ad be the trickle before the Olympic ad storm.
‘Marketing In The Cockpit, Creativity, Partnerships, Failure And Dream Big’ – Josh Faulks’ Five Takeaways From RESET
Missed AANA RESET or worse, accidentally doze off during said conference? Relive the highlights again here.
Nine Promotes Nikki Rooke To Replace Richard Hunwick As Director Of Sales – Total TV
Nine names Nikki Rooke as Richard Hunwick's successor. Yet to politely mention the boxes in Richard's former car spot.
Thinkerbell Wants To Make Every Day A “Lovely Day For A Guinness”
As the weather cools, probably more of us are thinking about a Guinness. Especially those of us with constipation.
The Unexpected Guest Wins oOh!media’s Inaugural Indigenous Business Grant
Here's a top initiative recognising Indigenous businesses. Yet kangaroos remain un-thanked for their tireless work.
Indie Creative Agency Dig Wins Bendigo Bank, Launches New Campaign
Hate your bank? Why not take the debt, poor credit record & maxed out Visa over to the friendly folk at Bendigo.
Made This Launches Mercedes-Benz Van’s New Online Store Through Massive LED Show
Is the downside to driving a Mercedes-Benz van that all the other delivery drivers think you're a bit of a wanker?
News Corp Launches Indigenous Sport Week Editorial Campaign
News Corp launches a new campaign to show the importance of Indigenous Australians to the sports we all love.
New “Population: Unexpected” Boomtown Brand Positioning Celebrates Regional Australia, Via Thinkerbell
Mark this as opinion, but surely the greatest advertisement for living in the regionals is living in Sydney?
Cairns Crocodiles, Presented by Pinterest: The Most-Shortlisted Agencies
This list of most nominated agencies for Cairns Crocs comes from lots of hard work & a shimmy of sassy showboating too.
Samsung Ads’ “Behind The Screens” Event: Showcasing Market Leadership In Connected TV
B&T was front row at Samsung's 'Behind The Screens' event. Here we go behind the scenes of 'Behind The Screens'.
UM Hires Former Carat Client Partnerships Head To Lead Optus Account
Matt Evans says "yes" to the Optus gig at UM but not before saying "no" to his previous employer asking him to stay.
Roy Morgan: Written News Reaches 97% Of Aussies
New study reveals written news reaches 97% of the population. The other 3% still think Bob Hawke's the prime minister.
‘Blair Is Mr Happy, Beau Is Mr Dopey, I’m Mr Grumpy’ – Top Gear Australia Hosts Reveal What It Was Really Like Filming
Top Gear features the cars you could never afford to drive. It's a bit like the bogan's Gourmet Traveller, really.
Nine’s Total TV Sales Lead Richard Hunwick To Step Down
Nine's Richard Hunwick calls time after 15 years. Hoping for a last trip to the Olympics before getting the gold watch.
Yahoo Academy Culminates With Pitch-Off For Musicians Making A Difference With Trip To Cannes In Cairns On The Line
B&T happy to support the Musicians Making A Difference initiative. Particularly any that encourages more Watusi.
TV Ratings 16/5/24: Nearly 2 Million Tune In To See Sky Blues Win In Women’s State Of Origin
B&T does make jokes about the Budget reply speech but, to his credit, Mr Potato Head rated OK last night.
Binge Launches “Scene:Scents” Sensory Entertainment Campaign, Via Thinkerbell
There's now scented candles to pair with BINGE shows. We're hoping Rex Hunt's Fishing Adventures doesn't hear about it.
Jolt Partners With Veridooh For Verification Of Its EV Charger Placements In UK
Although B&T's an avid supporter of EV cars, we'd definitely miss the smell of petrol and the service station pie.
Nine Ad Manager Named Principal Sponsor Of CommBank SmallBiz Week
CommBank's SmallBiz Week is coming to Melbourne on the 29-30 May. B&T's as confused as you are on how that's a week.