EXCLUSIVE: R/GA has snapped up Whybin\TBWA creative director Gavin McLeod to head up its new creative team in Australia.
The international digital agency, which has just set up shop in Sydney, has appointed McLeod as executive creative director.
B&T understands that R/GA approached a number of creative directors at Whybin\TBWA before securing McLeod (pictured) to join its ranks.
Originally from South Africa, McLeod has been a creative director at Whybin\TBWA-owned promotional agency Integer for two years. Prior to that, he was at M&C Saatchi’s digital agency, Mark.
During his time at Integer and Whybin\TBWA, McLeod was involved in the award-winning NRMA Car Creation campaign.
Paul Bradbury, CEO at Whybin\TBWA Sydney, told B&T: “We are sad to see Gavin go. He has made an enormous contribution to the agency’s success over the past few years. We understand that this is a fantastic opportunity for him and wish him all the best.”
McLeod will report to the newly-appointed R/GA Sydney managing director, Ameer Youssef.
McLeod’s departure is Whybin\TBWA’s second big loss to R/GA. Last month, R/GA New York poached Whybin\TBWA creatives John McKelvey and Hannes Ciatti. The pair, who had worked across M.J. Bale, NRMA, Absolut and RaboDirect at Whybins, now report to Nick Law, R/GA’s global chief creative officer.
