McCann Australia has promoted one of the world’s most awarded creative directors Pat Baron to executive creative director (ECD) of McCann Melbourne.

The promotion comes after Dejan Rasic joined the agency as ECD of McCann Sydney in March.

Rasic and Baron will work together to support McCann’s national ECD, John Mescall.

See full release:

“11 June 2014: McCann Australia has promoted award-winning creative Pat Baron to the post of Executive Creative Director of McCann Melbourne, effective immediately.

Pat has been instrumental in the renaissance of McCann Australia, which saw the agency become the most awarded in the world in 2013 with more than 200 trophies across 15 campaigns. He played a crucial role in globally recognised campaigns such as Dumb Ways To Die for Metro Trains, Impossible Orchestra for the federal government, Guilt Trip for V/Line and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s 100-Day Challenge.

In his new role, Pat joins McCann Sydney ECD Dejan Rasic to form one of the most awarded senior creative leadership duos in the country. Both Pat and Dejan report to national ECD John Mescall.

“Pat’s new role is more than recognition for a job (very) well done,” John Mescall said. “It’s also recognition of Pat’s hunger to continue to drive McCann’s efforts to remain on the righteous path towards being Australia’s most constantly excellent creative agency.

“As the most awarded creative director in the world over the past year and with the incredible respect he has won from our clients for his commitment to the quality of our creative product, Pat is a key player in achieving that goal.”

Pat returned to McCann Melbourne in 2012 as the agency embarked on its transformation following the merger with creative independent SMART. He began his 19-year career in London and has spent stints at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, JWT, See as well as McCann Australia.

Advertising Age magazine’s The Awards Report 2013 named Pat Baron and John Mescall as the two highest-ranked creatives in the global advertising industry, while Metro Trains is now ranked among the top three most awarded advertisers in the world, behind global giants Unilever and Nike.