VMLY&R has promoted Sarah Bailey to the role of Melbourne managing director.
Bailey, an experienced leader, moves up from her current role as managing partner.
Prior to joining VMLY&R in early 2019, she was partner at Mr Smith Projects and previously held senior roles at Ogilvy and DDB Melbourne (where she was also managing partner).
L to R: Thomas Tearle, CEO, VMLY&R AUNZ; Jake Barrow, Executive Creative Director, VMLY&R Melbourne; Ken Chan, Head of Strategy, VMLY&R Melbourne; Sarah Bailey, Managing Director, VMLY&R Melbourne.
Bailey said: “It’s been a big couple of years at VMLY&R Melbourne. I’m extremely proud of the team we’ve assembled, the quality and effectiveness of the work we’ve delivered and the relationships we have with our client partners. We’re in a great spot already and will be stepping it up another level with some top tier hires, adding further capability to our offering. I’m really looking forward to the next phase of growth and can’t wait to showcase some of the work currently in development.”
VMLY&R Melbourne anchors the Defence Force Recruiting account. The agency received multiple accolades in 2020 – including being ranked by Cannes Lions as the 6th most creative for the decade in the Pacific, and in the top 3 Australian agencies at D&AD.
Newly appointed VMLY&R Australia & NZ CEO Thomas Tearle commented: “Coming into my role, I was immediately impressed with Sarah’s talent and business acumen. I am incredibly pleased to make this my first major promotion at VMLY&R – thoroughly deserved.” In her new role, Bailey will continue to work with the Melbourne leadership team of
Executive creative director Jake Barrow and head of strategy Ken Chan, and report into Tearle.