MERRIFIELD TO REPLACE GANANN AS SAATCHI DIGITAL GROUP HEAD

Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney's digital creative group head Sean Ganann is joining hot New York independent shop Anomaly, and will be replaced by award-winning digital creative, Brian Merrifield (above) from Saatchi's Auckland office.
Ganann (pictured below) joined Saatchi's from the CD gig at NetX, Sydney in late 2005, fresh from working on the digital components of the multi award-winning Virgin Mobile 'Jason Donovan' campaign in conjunction with Host and The Glue Society.
Merrifield comes across the Tasman in May after nine years at the NZ office where won numerous gold, silver and bronze gongs at Cannes, The One Show, AWARD and AXIS.
Merrifield will report directly to David Nobay on everything digital for the agency.
Says Saatchi & Saatchi, David Nobay ECD: “Brian is just what we have been looking for, a digital ideas person with an outstanding portfolio.”
Adds Saatchi & Saatchi, CEO, Simone Bartley: “Brian is as much a Digital strategist as he is creative. There is no question he will add considerable weight to our digital team.”
At Anomaly, Ganann will be a part of a diverse creative leadership team that includes: Mike Byrne (content), Andrew Kibble (design) and Johnny Vulkan (innovations).
Says Ganann: “I have been in this business for over 11 years and I am ready for new challenge, but I did not want to do advertising, nor did I want to be pigeon-holed in a strictly digital business. Anomaly astounded me with their comprehensive view of communications across all platforms. Simply put, Anomaly affords me the best opportunity to do something that has never been done before."
“It has always been about talent and how best to use it. Sean is clearly one of the best at what he does. His arrival creates a powerful creative combination – where anything is possible,” Says Anomaly partner Carl Johnson.