Adland Recruitment Doyenne Esther Clerehan Celebrates 25 Years
On Monday, May 3, 1993, young headhunter, Esther Clerehan, began her own recruiting business for creatives. She had $400 in the bank and a Motorola phone she had borrowed $1,200 to buy.That business turned 25 today…
Clerehan had quit her job as general manager of industry recruitment firm, Apple International, three days before she began Clerehan Pty Ltd. Adland was caught in the throes of the recession Australia had to have, and she had reasoned that a small and nimble recruiter would survive.
Instead, she began to thrive. Clerehan’s business is older now than M&C Saatchi, Glue Society, BMF and The Monkeys. And Clerehan is an advisor and at times agony aunt, to ad people at all levels in the industry, whether she is representing them or not. She has a substantial network across Twitter, Linked In, Facebook and Instagram. She shares with them a mix of opinions, job listings, anything AFL – and her signature martini portraiture.
Clerehan had moved to Sydney from Melbourne during the bicentennial boom of 1988 to run Apple International, the top recruitment company in the industry at the time, owned by the iconic grand dame of headhunters, the late Claire Worthington. Five years later, she knew the industry inside and out and had developed the skills she needed to become a force in the industry. She gathers industry info as if she were a magnet, and this bore fruit within her first week in business. Young Andy Flemming needed a job and a visa renewal. Clerehan placed him at Bates Singapore on first interview.
“I am proud to be Esther’s first placement. What she saw in me, I’m not entirely sure. I’d been literally living in Mojo’s Cremorne office, I was existing on Findus product stolen from the Mojo freezers and had a portfolio filled with very little real work but plenty of enthusiasm. Within just a few days, Esther had negotiated a job for me in Singapore via Hong Kong. I have no idea how she did it, but that’s what she does and has been doing for a quarter of a century. She sees creative potential first, fee second. She’s utterly unique and without her, the Australian industry would be without many of its biggest names. Looking back, I owe Esther far more than my career. Without her I never would have worked in Asia. I never would have met my wife and my two children simply wouldn’t exist so, you know, thank you for everything!” [Andy Flemming, group creative director, M&C Saatchi Australia]
More placements followed. By the end of her first month, Clerehan had delivered another writer to Bates, and placed Matt Eastwood as a midweight in DDB Sydney with art director, Jacqui Dolan. She has always worked solo and never had plans to expand. “I really admire those recruiters who have grown their business. I love what I do and prefer to concentrate on that, rather than managing a larger group.”
For the last decade and a half, her office has been at home, but Clerehan Pty Ltd began in a space above a puppet maker in an old terrace house on George Street overlooking the Quay, sharing it with the über famous graphic design sisters, Leuver, Leuver, Leuver and Leuver. When the rent was hiked up due to the upcoming Sydney Olympics, Esther shared spaces with Kimble Rendall’s Flat Rock production company and then Michael Cook’s Film Business before she realised that a “small and nimble recruiter” worked best out and about. Clerehan prefers face-to-face meetings. She doesn’t just match up books to briefs. She also works in two cities. “I moved to Sydney from Melbourne in 1988 to run Apple, and Melbourne still thinks I just popped up the road to get milk.”
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she has helped to shape the advertising industry. She has placed many of the industry’s creative high flyers in their first real leadership roles.
A few words about Esther:
Jeff Goodby, co-chairman, Goodby Silverstein & Partners San Francisco says: “Esther sees our industry with the unique perspective of someone who’s worked for decades with leading creative people and heads of agencies, while also swimming the ocean of changing tastes. She’s seen it all. She’s a coach, an agent, and a savvy business strategist. But more importantly she has shaped creativity in Australia and beyond with the people she has championed, the work she has helped bring to life, and the invaluable advice she has given to so many of us. The advertising she has brought to the world will be influential for generations. It’s not an overstatement to say that she’s a national treasure.”
Warren Brown, co-founder, Gutthink and Partners Sydney, says: “Esther Clerehan, or to me, just ‘Clerehan’, is someone who values honesty and integrity above everything else. I can only say this as I was the beneficiary of those qualities for two decades, as she helped me find the right people to build the creative reputation of BMF. She is without doubt the ‘Dorothy Parker’ of advertising due to her wit, intelligence and opinions. Her only flaw is she loves the Swans, I think she would have made a much better Hawk. Is this enough? I could go on…”
June Laffey, chief creative officer, McCann Healthcare New York, says: “I was Esther’s first trifecta. The third time was lucky – as she placed me at CJB, and that began my long career in health comms. I love what I do as we have the power to enrich empower and even save lives. And it all started with Esther knowing how much I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE and spotting that right opportunity.”
Tara Ford, executive creative director, DDB Sydney, says: “She’s the matriarch of the advertising industry in Australia. One of the few constants I’ve seen throughout my career. And so much more than a recruiter. She thinks about talent, the people and the industry as a whole. She sees the bigger picture, and she cares.”
Justin Drape, chief creative officer & co-founder, The Monkeys, says: “Esther is all class when it comes to understanding creative folks. She genuinely cares about people, their careers and her vision. Esther’s loyalty and transparency hold a lot more value than what is written on an invoice. She has nurtured and placed some of the brightest minds in our industry and her influence extends into the best agencies around the world. So, while her success over the last 25 years is a fantastic achievement, it’s certainly not a surprise.”
Tom McFarlane, founding creative director, M&C Saatchi: “Let’s forget about her success, to simply survive in this business for 25 years, you’ve really got to love it.
And Esther does. With a passion. She cares about our careers, our ethics, she’s there for those who trip up and she gives generously of her time and wisdom to every nervous junior seeking their first job. We’re lucky to have her around.”
Highlights. There have been many. Here are a few:
- Working closely with fledgling start-ups like M&C Saatchi, BMF and The Monkeys.
- Placing 26yo David Droga at Saatchi Asia as Regional ECD.
- Placing Wieden & Kennedy’s first international creative hire (Ned McNeilage & Linda Knight) in 1994.
- Still lecturing AWARD School in 2018. Clerehan’s first lecture was in 1993. She has been invited more often than any other industry leader.
- Chairing the RMIT Program Advisory Committee since 2016. Twice they’ve held Pitch Night on her birthday and she still flew to Melbourne to attend.
- A stint as an acerbic feature columnist on the back cover of B&T.
- Being the first recruiter to sit on the AWARD Committee (2016 – current).
- Speaking at the inaugural Australasian 3% conference as well as the AWARD creative leadership course.
- Co-creating the AWARD School 30 year Droga prize in 2017, which culminated in Tom Lawrence winning a trip to New York and being offered a job at D5.
- Appearing on the front page of the SMH for dining out a lot (“Hehe, 1994!”).
- Sydney Swans winning AFL premierships in 2005 and 2012.
Looking Back: Twenty-five changes in twenty-five years
- Mobile phones (Clerehan was the first person among her friends to have one in 1993)
- The internet
- Websites replacing portfolios
- Website folios segregated by campaigns not by media
- Email replacing couriers
- LinkedIn profiles replacing CVs
- More and more women in creative leadership roles
- The rise of award shows and explosions of categories: In 1993 Australia had won a single Cannes Grand Prix (1979)
- HR departments
- Internal recruiters
- Titular upgrades of CDs to Creative Chairs, CCOs and ECDs
- Creative and media’s divorce: the end of accreditation in 1997
- Introduction of GST in 2000
- Digital is assumed
- Integration is a thing
- Big data is a thing
- Content is a thing
- Consultancies are a thing
- Personal brands are a thing
- YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat are all things
- The closures of Mojo, George Patterson & the Campaign Palace
- The removal of borders for expats to move overseas, especially to the US
- Movements changing the industry like #MeToo and #FreeTheBid
- North Sydney and St Kilda Road abdicating their role as adland’s epicentres
- Pyrmont/Barangaroo and Richmond/Cremorne becoming the new agency hubs
- The closures of the Bayswater Brasserie, The Sebel Hotel and Mario’s
Last November, Esther marked another incredible milestone: 40 years since she began her career as the office junior at Ogilvy Melbourne, the day after her final school exam.
Esther has now been a headhunter for over 30 years; longer than her mentor, recruiting doyenne, Claire Worthington. Worthington died in 2000 after running Apple for 23 years.
“My father worked until he was 93. I doubt I’ll be able to do the same as Dad but I’d like to give it a red hot go.”
Latest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.
Congratulations Esther; here’s to another 25!
Best,
Brento @ MAARS