THE NEW GUARD STEPS UP AT COLENSO BBDO AUCKLAND

Following a highly successful run of new business gains, including giants Fonterra and Vodafone, Colenso BBDO Auckland CEO Roger MacDonnell announced some key changes in Colenso’s management structure.
Brent Smart, 33 (pictured left) previously General Manager has been named Managing Director, effective immediately.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Brent’s efforts in the last two years” commented MacDonnell. “He has proven to be a very dynamic and popular leader with excellent strategic skills and a huge passion for creative. He’s the best young adman I’ve encountered and has a huge future.”
Smart has formed a close working partnership with Creative Director Richard Maddocks, 36 (pictured right) who has just been named Executive Creative Director.
“This move recognises Richard’s strong leadership capabilities as well as his proven creative track record. Richard is openly regarded as one of Australasia’s top creative talents and has driven Colenso to the number one position in Campaign Brief’s creative rankings. Richard is one of those rare creatives who can combine leadership with individual creative brilliance” said MacDonnell.
Also recognised is Steve Cochran, 40, who has been named Deputy Creative Director. “Steve is a long time powerhouse in the creative department” said Richard Maddocks. “His great work for Air New Zealand and Sky City is amongst the best around”.
In the light of these new appointments, Roger MacDonnell announced that he would be stepping down as CEO and taking up the role as Chairman. “I see my role in the next little while concentrating more on the group rather than the agency” he said. “We are currently working hard on perfecting our ‘best in class’ integrated offer.”
In this regard, an important addition to the team has been Adam Good, 37, previously head of Tribal in Australia and more recently Asia. Adam is recognised as one of Australasia’s best digital leaders and will join both Colenso BBDO and sister company AIM Proximity in the new role of Director of Digital Innovation.
“I’m very proud of Colenso’s track record” said MacDonnell “and this young team is going to take it to new heights.”