Digital creative agency Red Engine SCC has announced two key senior hires and a promotion.

Following the departure of the agency’s general manager and strategy director, Kate Richardson, Jye Smith (pictured above, right) has returned to Australia from Hong Kong to jointly lead Red Engine SCC alongside founder and CEO Julian Townley.

Subsequent to six years working in the Asia-Pacific region, most recently as director of brand and Marketing at PwC’s Experience Centre, Smith brings to the agency a mix of strategy and communications experience.

“Red Engine SCC is an independent agency which has been designed to focus on building adaptive brands through insight and technology,” Smith said.

“They have a proven track-record of digital creative success, and, after spending my career in all aspects of advertising and consulting, I believe our model of agency will be a force to be reckoned with.”

In line with the expanding scale of the agency and tasked with leading its creative vision, Dan Saunders (pictured above, left) has joined Red Engine SCC in the newly created position of group ECD.

Hailing from London, Saunders has spent the past 17 years working on high-profile brands, including in his recent roles as creative director at Sapient Nitro London and as creative lead at VML Sydney.

“The opportunity to work with a creative agency such as Red Engine SCC is significant and one that I’m excited about,” Saunders said.

“We have some very talented and driven people on board and I look forward to working with the entire team as we look to further develop the creative and strategic direction of Red Engine SCC.”

After working with Red Engine SCC for three years in client services, Katy Ward (pictured above) has been promoted to account director.

Commenting on the appointments, Townley said: “It’s an exciting time for the agency and broader RE Group as we welcome truly dynamic leadership in Jye Smith and Dan Saunders, and reward consistent high performance in Katy Ward, whose commitment and tenacity has seen her go from strength to strength.

“Entrepreneurial spirit is flourishing across our group. Jye naturally aligns with our ambition to reframe our strategic offering, while Dan will drive our increased focus on creative brilliance.

“This will create an environment that will nurture unique and exciting opportunities for our valued clients going forward.”