Waldren leaves Grey for 'once in a lifetime' client role
Luke Waldren has stepped down as chief executive of Grey Group Australia to pursue a career outside of agency advertising.
His departure has triggered the promotion of executive creative director Michael Knox to managing partner of Grey Melbourne.
It is not yet known what position Waldren (pictured top) is taking up but he described the client-side role as a “once in a lifetime chance”.
His departure comes four months after the agency lost the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) account to Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.
“Grey Group is an amazing place filled with incredibly talented people, the best I have worked with. Although I will miss them greatly it’s now the right time to give someone else a go running the good ship Grey Group,” Waldren said.
I have always had an ambition to work client side and the offer I have accepted is a once in a lifetime chance. In Michael Knox & Paul Worboys, Grey Group Australia is in very good hands. I wish them only the very best.”
Knox (pictured left) and Worboys, COO of Grey Group Australia and head of Grey’s Sydney office, will now manage the Group’s Australian operation.
Nirvik Singh, chairman and CEO of Grey Group Asia Pacific, said: “Michael is one of our best creative leaders and his appointment as Managing Partner of our Melbourne office is a cornerstone of the group’s strategy for the Australia market. He has proven himself as a strong creative leader who can take on business issues and I am confident that he will bring the office onto the next level.
“At the same time, I would like to thank Luke for all he has done over the past years he was with us. He has brought about a stronger focus on digital and innovation in our Australia offices and we had a good run together. He will be missed.”
Grey’s more than two-decade long relationship with the TAC came to an end at the start of the year following a pitch process which saw Clemenger BBDO Melbourne named as the successor late last year.
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