Adelaide-based advertising agency Black Sheep has hired industry veteran John McLaren (pictured) as its new managing director, following the recent promotion of Cera O’Grady to general manager.

Black Sheep owner and creative director Andrew Millar said he was delighted to welcome McLaren to the agency.

“There are not too many people in Adelaide, or the rest of the country for that matter, who can boast the same level of industry experience as John, so we’re really pleased to welcome him to the Black Sheep flock,” said Millar.

In addition to long-standing clients such as Adelaide Development Company, Scotch College and the Bowden development, Black Sheep also recently picked up the accounts for Anglicare, Ergo Apartments, Repromed and the Country Fire Service in SA.

As the current chairman of The Communications Council in SA, McLaren joins Black Sheep after holding posts s at Clemenger BBDO, Young & Rubicam, Bottomline, George Patterson and FCB Hocking over hte last three decades.

"Black Sheep has such a fantastic young team of keen, creative communicators, so it’s a great opportunity for me to share my experience and help guide the agency to more success in the future,” said McLaren, who is also a director of the Advertising Standards Bureau and sits on the board of the Australian Medical Association.