Independent creative network, ZOO Group, has hired Lorinda Wyatt (pictured) as the managing director to lead its agency in Canberra. Wyatt brings international experience to the expanding network, having worked in senior roles at TBWA, Adcorp and Les Mills.

The appointment will also see former managing director, Clint Hutchinson, scale back his involvement in the agency and focus on a range of creative projects, including FASHFEST, a three day fashion festival held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, and HAUS Models, Canberra’s leading modelling agency.

Founder of ZOO Group, Pawl Cubbin, said, “Clint joined me 15 years ago and I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow from art director to a consummate business person in his own right. He will be now concentrating on taking FASHFEST and HAUS Models to the next level. Clint will retain his shareholding in ZOO Canberra and continue to work on various projects with the agency.”

Wyatt’s experience includes senior roles with TBWA, Saatchi and Saatchi and Y&R in South Africa. Moving to Canberra five years ago, Wyatt ran multinational media agency Adcorp as CSD/Agency Manager. Most recently, she has spent the past two years driving the marketing strategy for the Asia Pacific region for global fitness brand Les Mills.

Cubbin added, “ZOO Group prides itself on having outstanding talent and Lorinda is no exception. She is very experienced and driven and will bring a high level of strategic capability to the Canberra agency and the network overall.”

“I am inspired by Pawl’s vision for ZOO Group, it’s unique and has a point of difference and I am excited to be on board. Creating a culture where we are producing well executed, strategic creative ideas that deliver results for our clients’ businesses, will be at the heart of everything we do,” said Wyatt.

Wyatt joins a team of experienced senior talent at ZOO Group. In June ZOO Group announced the appointment of industry heavy weights Paul Bruce and Will Reynolds to lead its Sydney agency.