Independent Brisbane-based creative agency next Thursday has bolstered its senior team with the hire of Richard Woof, who joins as head of strategy and group account director.

Woof (pictured above, left) brings a broad mix of cross-industry marketing and business skills gained over 20 years from both client and agency-side with the likes of Ogilvy Group, Wolters Kluwer and Allan Burrows (Y&R) in the UK.

He joins from Ikon Communications in Brisbane, where he held the role of client service director, and is tasked with leading the strategic function on existing and new client work at next Thursday together with heading up client service and operational delivery.

Dan Adler (pictured above, right), managing director of next Thursday, said: “We’ve been on the hunt for someone who has the right talent, experience and cultural fit to lead strategy for our clients, helping the creative team springboard their ideas off insightful thinking and build efficiencies in the way we operate.

“The agency is hitting its straps, so the timing couldn’t be better for Richard to join the team. His reputation and strength of relationships in the media industry are excellent, which will no doubt create opportunities. Also, his lean towards creative and digital, combined with solid understanding media and head for strategy makes him the ideal stabiliser to maintain our trajectory as we push the pedal to the metal.”

Commenting on his appointment, Woof said: “Next Thursday is producing some amazing work for a great and growing client base, so when the opportunity to join them came up I jumped at the chance.

“I was so impressed with the partnerships they have with their clients and the quality of the work that this produces. There’s a real sense of family within the agency, so it was a perfect fit for me.”