MADDOCKS TO MOVE TO CLEMS SYDNEY, WORTHINGTON TO JOIN COLENSO AUCKLAND

In a move that will create waves on both sides of the Tasman, Colenso BBDO Auckland ECD Richard Maddocks (top left) will take up the executive creative director role at Clemenger BBDO, Sydney, replaced by Auckland based Nick Worthington (bottom left), who has been lured from the regional creative director role at Publicis Mojo Auckland. Both appointments are effective early next year.
After eight years at Colenso BBDO, Maddocks leaves the agency in the number one position in New Zealand for the third consecutive year in the Campaign Brief creative rankings.
Maddocks began his career in Australia before moving to Mojo NZ in the mid 90’s. At the end of 1999 he joined Colenso BBDO, firstly as a writer and eventually advancing to Creative Director in 2004.
One of the most awarded creatives in Australasia, Maddocks’ creative leadership has resulted in numerous awards at Cannes, One Show, Clio, and Award. Colenso BBDO is currently ranked the number one creative agency in New Zealand and number two in Australasia. Maddocks himself sits at number 3 on the Campaign Brief Australasian Creative Director rankings. Within the past twelve months Maddocks has led both the successful regional Fonterra and Vodafone NZ pitches.
“This is the single most important appointment to be made at Clemenger BBDO Sydney for the future,” said Jim Moser, Managing Director of Clemenger BBDO Sydney. “In the end our global search brought us to our own network where we found Richard to fit the brief perfectly: An Australian. A proven creative leader. Highly awarded. Embracing of new media/all channels and a great cultural fit."
Maddocks says his first priority is getting to know the clients: “It’s all about doing great work. That’s our number one focus. And the only way to do that is to understand your clients' business problems. If we don’t know that, then what are we trying to solve with an idea?
“I’m really looking forward to getting over there and working as Jim’s partner to lead an agency that’s consistently producing great ideas for our clients. Clemenger BBDO has an outstanding history as one of Australia’s defining advertising agencies. I’d love to be able to play a role in adding to that history, especially in the context of integration and new media. The integration between BBDO, Proximity and the rest of the Clemenger group is one of the most exciting opportunities we have,” he added.
Maddocks' replacement Nick Worthington is a real coup for BBDO in this region. "We are extremely fortunate to be able to attract someone of Nick's calibre to our group,” said Colenso BBDO Chairman Roger MacDonnell. "He is currently rated one of the top three creatives in the world, with ten gold lions, eleven D&AD pencils and ten gold British TV awards to his credit. He is re-joining BBDO as he spent a number of years at AMV BBDO in London."
"Richard has been a fabulous partner for me," said Brent Smart, Colenso BBDO Managing Director. "We have done some great work together and had some spectacular wins in the last two years and I know he will go well in Sydney. I'm now looking forward to a great partnership with Nick".
UK born Worthington's reel features ads for Levis, Polaroid, Dulux, Wrangler, Bonningtons and The Economist. He has been Executive Creative Director at Publicis Mojo for the last three years where he has been responsible for local campaigns for Steinlager and Speights and international campaigns for Diet Coke and Schweppes.
Adds Clemenger Group Executive Chairman Robert Morgan: "These moves reflect our passion for creative leadership in this part of the world. With Nick Worthington in Auckland, Duster in Wellington, James McGrath in Melbourne and Richard Maddocks in Sydney - we now have the best creative leadership across Australia and New Zealand."