Two highly acclaimed creative directors, Matty Burton and Dave Bowman, are joining Special Group as Founding Creative Partners in the recently announced Australian start-up.
The award-winning team has spent the last five years with TBWA as executive creative directors of the Sydney Group. Under their creative leadership the agency doubled in size and revenue, winning 19 new business pitches and taking it to the number one creative agency in Australia, as ranked by the Won Report.
“Our entire careers have been in anticipation of this moment. We have worked at many start-ups over our career, either at the bottom, in the middle or helping to lead the charge. Places like Whybin Lawrence TBWA, Host, The Glue Society, Droga 5 New York and Droga 5 Australia. We’ve been watching and learning the whole time. We will fail at times. We will succeed at others. But it’s the journey that we are most looking forward to,” said Matty Burton.
Partner and CEO, Lindsey Evans said: “What clients will most appreciate is that Matty and Dave have monster talent. After all, more than 40 Cannes Lions and 15 Gold EFFIE effectiveness awards is more than luck. What many may not know and what I believe makes them truly unique is how such extraordinary talent comes from two such incredibly wonderful human beings. I’ve known them as friends for a long time. I’ve admired their work for even longer. And, finally, I can love them as partners.”
Special Group is renowned for its unique offering of advertising, brand design, media and digital innovation which creates joined-up branding solutions that have earned high recognition for work that crosses conventional marketing lines.
“I’ve been a big fan of the guys behind Special Group since we first worked together in New Zealand a decade ago. So, to now have the chance to become a part of their fiercely independent and agile creative offering is incredibly exciting,” said Dave Bowman. “Particularly at this point in time when the landscape is changing so quickly and radically, Special’s nimble approach will prove to be a valuable asset to clients. Special Group also shares our entrepreneurial ethic, as do many of the most inspired and inspiring clients and brands. We can’t wait to get stuck in. ”
“Matty and Dave are truly world class talent. They have a brilliant track record of creative and effectiveness success. Together with Lindsey and Cade they form an incredible new offering in the market that I know marketing directors and CMOs will find refreshing and compelling,” said Tony Bradbourne.
