SEARLE TO CD POST AT McCANN-ERICKSON, BRISBANE

McCann-Erickson Brisbane has appointed former SO&M Melbourne ECD Adam Searle (right) as creative director, effective May. He will replace interim CD Andrew Thompson, who will remain with the agency as a senior writer.
Thompson joined the agency from George Patts Y&R Brisbane last year as a short-term replacement for the high profile Rem Bruijn (now creative partner at Make).
Craig Coke (left), managing director of McCann Erickson Brisbane, said Searle’s appointment, Thompson’s continuing senior role and other new senior moves at the agency, not yet announced, recognised the accelerating Queensland business environment where clients are deepening their State-based infrastructures and consumer connections, as well as expanding across Australia and internationally.
As well as an extensive career in advertising, Searle is also formerly marketing director of the Ray Group – a leading Queensland resort-property developer. In this role, he was responsible for the successful Salt Village "One Perfect Day" campaign as well as the launch of New Hotham.
Prior to joining McCann Brisbane, Searle has been running his own creative consultancy working for Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne agencies, as well as clients including Reverse Corp, Ray Group, Resort Corp, UB Creative and Wizard Home Loans.
In the Nineties Searle was a senior creative at Singleton Ogilvy & Mather, Sydney eventually promoted to a creative director gig in 1998. He was appointed executive creative director of Singleton Ogilvy & Mather Melbourne in 2004 and his career includes creative leadership on brands such as KFC, Qantas, Crown Casino, NSW Lotteries, Lion Nathan Brewing, Collins Foods, George Western Foods, Telstra, Unilever, Myer, Australia Post, AAMI, Beaurepaires, Motorola, Kraft, BP, Bonland Dairies, Kodak and Mattel.
“McCann Brisbane has a terrific creative pedigree and a very strong client base. The opportunity to take on creative leadership at the agency is a very rare opportunity,” said Searle. “I am looking forward to working with Craig, Andrew, the senior team and the agency’s clients.”