Queensland-based creative agency PublicisQ has announced the appointment of Lee Griffin as creative director and David Schaak as the agency’s first head of art.

PublicisQ executive creative director Ryan Petie said the new appointments represented a significant elevation in the agency’s creative capabilities, with the new executives bringing a combination of international award-winning work and big-brand experience.

Griffin has been appointed PublicisQ creative director after working for four years in Nashville, Tennessee. He started his career in Queensland and in addition to his advertising focus he is also the co-owner and creative director of drum innovators Mothertone, as well as creative director of Americana Music Tours. His creative brand experience includes Suncorp, Isuzu, Sanofi, Bulla, AirAsia, V8 Supercars, Subway Restaurants, ANZ, L’Oreal, Tatts Lotteries and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.

David Schaak joins as PublicisQ’s first head of art after a 20-year career as an art director, designer, coder and musician. He worked for 11 years at Publicis Melbourne and has brand experience including Bulla, the National Basketball League, Nestle, Tourism Victoria, Nike, Toyota, L’Oreal and Hertz. He also created the virtual reality creative tool, Situ, which has recently seen a highly successful global launch at Cannes.

“With Lee and David we have two highly experienced and respected creative people,” said Ryan Petie. “As we expand our focus on rapidly developing industries in Queensland, their creative talents certainly elevate our capabilities and I am looking forward to working with them.”

Under Petie and managing director Simone Waugh, PublicisQ launched its focus as a champion of creativity in Queensland in March this year. Since then the agency’s staff has increased by 20 per cent.