As Justin Graham exits the Droga5 building marketing heavyweight Jon Bradshaw enters to fill his boots as chief strategy officer.

This is the first time the former marketing head of Diageo, Lion and Virgin Mobile, has worked on the agency side of the advertising business.

Droga5’s former client will enter the building as a member of staff in early 2014. His appointment comes as Graham moves to lead M&C Saatchi’s strategy.

“People ask why a client would want to join an agency? For me it’s easy when that agency is Droga5,” Bradshaw said.

“It’s an opportunity to be part of a business that's helping shape the future of marketing and advertising and changing the conversation with the client.

“The industry is shifting and I have a strong idea of what things look like from the client perspective.”

Droga5’s chief executive  Sudeep Gohil added: “He has been an inspiring leader and has remarkable track record of success in Australia and overseas.”

“As the conversations we have with clients continue to develop at the most senior executive levels Jon’s experience will be an incredible asset.”

Bradshaw and Droga5 won Gold at Cannes together when working on Virgin Mobile together.

Bradshaw’s marketing roles have included marketing director at Virgin Mobile, brad direction at Lion and vice president of global marketing and commercial director for Diageo.