Sydney agency Cabana Boys closes its doors after five years
Sydney creative agency Cabana Boys has closed its doors today after five years in business, Mumbrella can reveal.
In its five year history, the agency had worked for advertising and PR clients including Angostura Bitter, Australia Council for the Arts, Stuart Alexander, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), V Australia, Fuji Xerox Global Services, and the Sydney Symphony.
Director Stuart Ghent said: “Nobody closes down a business that’s doing fantastically. We were doing well but we weren’t doing fantastically.”
Current active clients have been advised of the closure, with Ghent and director Nik Robinson to remain available to them “individually in the short term”.
“It’s been a great ride. Cabana Boys managed to break into a very competitive, very mature market with little more than its ideas and a sense of determined optimism,” said Ghent.
“But that’s not to say it hasn’t been tough. Or that it isn’t time to try something else.”
Last year the agency won recognition in the industry with its “I found a way” campaign for IFAW, whilst work for Mission Australia around gambling caused some controversy because of shocking images it used.
Robinson intends to pursue a “passion project” called Freedoms Way which is an organisation consisting of neuroscientists, psychologists, computer engineers, creatives and industry thought leaders “coming together with one purpose to ask one question: how can we improve well being and resilience as individuals, family’s, work places and communities?”.
He said: “I’ve learnt some amazing skills in advertising and felt it was time to try create something truly original that embraces technology and helps people to live a positive and engaged life.”
Ghent is taking some time out to consider his future, however his hands aren’t idle as he is busy completing a painting project at home.
“I’m painting my bathroom at the moment,” he laughed. “Looking at a ceiling with paint dripping in your eyes is a good way to think about things.
“One of the things that happened to me over my career at Cabana Boys is I’ve gone from being a pure creative to being an entrepreneur, a businessman and an manager as well. That’s a really interesting skill set for a creative business and I’m not sure whether to explore that as an employee or further explore it as an entrepreneur,” he explained.
The duo said they are thankful for the experiences the five years of Cabana Boys has provided them.
Robinson said: “We may be walking away, but we’re walking away as friends. Few people who take this step are as lucky.
“We’d like to send a big thank you to all the wonderful people who have advised us, believed in us, supported us, hired us, fired us, helped us, trusted us. You’ve been inspirational.”
Angostura Bitter print ad
Miranda Ward
Linkedin
Choosing the right name for an agency is so important.
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sad news – looks like a quality agency. However … nobody closes a company that’s doing “well” either. They sell it.
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Very sorry to hear that news. We started our business around the same time as Cabana Boys so have watched them very closely. Great agency who did a lot of great work. Good luck with your next challenge boys – you should be very proud of what you achieved.
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All the best for the next chapter, gents.
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All the best guys….
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Miss you guys! Good luck with the next chapter.
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@crystal ball gazing
Depends on your definition of ‘well’. If they’re covering overheads and paying salaries I’d say they’re doing well, but that doesn’t translate into a sellable agency.
It’s fucking tough in this industry. Wish these guys all the best.
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Guys all the best, met you 3 years ago and liked your attitude. Agree Felix, its a tough industry to play in these days. Brave either way you look at it to give it a go.
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Worked with the Boys for a number of years – great creatively and super honest who became more than just an agency but mates as well.
All the best Stu, Nik and Scott.
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