Australian independent media and advertising agency, Affinity, has added new hires to its leadership team, following a number of recent business wins.

The agency has appointed former DDB creative lead, Marcus Tesoriero, as creative director and former Edelman digital’s head of production, Skye Lanser, as director of digital projects. Both appointments are effective immediately and will report to Affinity’s managing director Luke Brown.

Possessing experience across some of the world’s most famous brands and advertising agencies, Marcus brings a mix of traditional and digital experience to lead Affinity’s talented creative team. Most recently at DDB Sydney, Marcus was primarily responsible for the Audi account and key projects for Telstra.

Marcus said he was looking forward to joining such an ambitious organisation at this exciting time. “Affinity offered me a new creative playground to apply my integrated industry experience in driving the team to new heights,” he said.

Beyond DDB, Marcus worked with a number of leading agencies including Ogilvy, The White Agency, AnalogFolk, Reborn and DT Digital, picking up a raft of awards along the way. Brands worked on during this time included Lexus, The Commonwealth Bank, Coca-Cola, Yahoo, Tourism Australia, The RTA, Unilever, Lion Nathan, American Express and Qantas amongst many others.

Affinity also expressed their excitement for the appointment of Marcus. General manager and planning director Angela Smith noted, “We’re thrilled to have Marcus onboard. Not only is his experience and awards celebrated for creativity, but he’s also acclaimed for outstanding effectiveness. This is exemplifies what our agency stands for and is a key attribute regarded by our clients – both present and future.”

Skye Lancer joins Affinity from Edelman Digital, where she held the position of head of production, launching award-winning projects for ABC, GE, Allergan, Fonterra and Australian Hearing. Prior to this, she managed teams in both integrated and digital agencies, including Havas, Ogilvy, DraftFCB, Tongue and Host, working with clients, such as Sony, Telstra, Amex, GE, Vodafone and Nestle.

Skye said she was delighted to be joining a team with core values and aspirations so closely aligned to her own. “Even though the agency is in a huge growth phase, Affinity has a strong point of difference to other agencies offering a connected creative resolution at every consumer touchpoint on the path to purchase,” she said.

Marcus and Skye’s appointments complement a number of other senior hires in 2014, including director of business management, Heath Jones, who joins from Possible, and director of group media and business intelligence, Adam Shar.

Affinity’s managing director, Luke Brown, said recruiting such industry heavyweights was a clear indication that the agency is heading in the right direction towards a very bright future.

“Based on some fabulous client wins, 2014 saw us moving to a larger, purpose built office at 50 Stanley Street Darlinghurst and a strengthening all of our agency teams. Combined with these great hires, 2015 looks to be Affinity’s strongest year yet,” he said.