Mike “Spirko” Spirkovski, a chief creative officer at Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, has announced he is hanging up his creative hat and heading off to do something new.
It’s pretty clear Spirkovski will be missed; under his leadership, last year Saatchi & Saatchi was Australia’s most-awarded agency at D&AD, Cannes, The One Show, New York Festivals, Spikes and London International Awards.
In 2021, he was ranked the #1 CCO in the Asia Pacific by The One Club global creative rankings; and in 2022 was the 7th most creative CCO in the world by The Drum.
He announced his exit on Linkedin and wrote: “In my next chapter, I want to continue doing purposeful work. I will be staying on with Publicis Group, focusing on sustainability and all it entails – environmental, social, cultural and economic. More to share on this soon.
“But for now, to Saatchi & Saatchi, our amazing people, and all our loyal clients, thank you for the best eight years of my career. It has been one of the greatest experiences anyone could have asked for, and whilst its goodbye for now as your CCO, I know I will continue to work with some of you, just in a slightly different capacity.
“It’s been a true honour, and I will always live by Nothing is Impossible, no matter where I am.”
Anthony Gregorio, CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi, said: “Spirko has been such a fundamental part of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia for the last eight years. He leaves an incredible legacy of creativity.
“He has been a part of so many of our award-winning and business-changing ideas. The highlights being consecutive years winning a Cannes Innovation Lion and being part of the most-awarded campaign in the world in 2021 with ‘Donation Dollar’ for The Royal Australian Mint.
“His contribution over the years to Toyota has also been exceptional; helping to develop some of Australia’s most remembered and loved work.
“From a personal point of view, I will miss having a mate and partner to sit opposite, to discuss and solve problems with.
“The great thing about Spirko is it is never just business. It’s always personal as well. His personality and energy are infectious, and I’m going to miss working with him. I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say it’s been a pleasure working in the amazing ‘Spirko Era’ at Saatchi & Saatchi.
“Spirko has decided to follow his passion for a better future for us all and will be working with Publicis Groupe, consulting on a new sustainability project. Whilst I’m sad to be losing him, I’m delighted that he can work in a space he is extremely passionate about.”
