CEO of McCann Ben Lilley to step down
McCann Australia’s chairman and CEO Ben Lilley is stepping down at the end of March and relocating to France with his family.
Lilley joined McCann Australia as chairman and CEO in 2011 and became the creative leadership chair for Asia Pacific in 2016.
Lilley joined McCann in 2011
McCann commenced a search for Lilley’s replacement several months ago and an announcement is expected to be made shortly.
Lilley joined McCann after selling his agency SMART to McCann in 2011 and was tasked with reinventing its “integrated creative offering”.
The Dumb Ways to Die video for Metro Trains went viral with 2.3m views on YouTube in just 48 hours. It has since clocked up 160m views, making it one of the most viral ads of all time.
The news of Lilley’s resignation comes five months after consultancy Deloitte poached McCann Melbourne’s managing director Adrian Mills, head of strategy and media David Phillips, executive creative director Matt Lawson and digital media lead Justine Mills.
The four McCann staffers joined Deloitte Digital to launch its brand creative and media offering.
Lilley said it was time for a break.
“Having run SMART for 12 years and now McCann for six years, I’m ready for a proper break. I’m grateful to the many awesome people I’ve worked with in this time who’ve made our businesses such great successes. I’m also grateful for the many equally awesome opportunities I’ve been able to enjoy with McCann, especially in my APAC creative role,” he said.
“I’m pleased to be able to hand over to our incoming CEO an agency that’s in such great shape, with a talented management team across our four Australian offices. McCann’s momentum here and across the globe is clear to see and I know our business will continue to go from strength to strength. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Charles Cadell, president McCann Worldgroup APAC, added: “Ben has led one of McCann’s most successful offerings for years, responsible for delivering outstanding work and building a truly dynamic and exciting business. In his capacity as our APAC CLC Chair, he effected remarkable results, with 2017 being the best ever year for our regional award wins – both on the creative and the effectiveness front. One of those rare hybrid leaders – a true mix of creative and CEO – he’ll be very much missed by the network and we wish him all the best.”
McCann’s clients include University of Melbourne, Metro Trains, Coca-Cola, Worksafe Victoria, Mastercard and Tiger Airways.
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Congratulations, what an amazing stint. You will be missed.
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I’ve never worked directly with Ben – in fact we’ve competed against him, but I have always admired his unique ability to build teams and brands – and carry concepts to market. In an industry where leaders often lack vision or are pressured to largely focus on short term financial performance Ben’s creative nouse and professionalism has been refreshing. I look forward to not competing against him. Somebody open the bubbles!
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I’ve known Ben for twenty years now and what he’s achieved on those two decades is remarkable. SMART was a great independent agency, the merger with McCann was a masterpiece. The amazing turnaround of that once lacklustre shop nothing short of a miracle. He’s worked hard and smart for what he’s got and deserves a well earned break with his family. Time to smell the roses, mate. Well done and take your time! DPL.
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Great news Ben and family and so very well deserved, after all the hard work and sacrifices made over the years.
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gee, that was a long earn out
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good luck to you Ben. Job Well Done
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Hi Ben,
Thanks for letting us start Naked in your office all those years ago! Fantastic to hear you’re doing something nice best of luck with the adventure. Very well deserved.
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Few people know as much about the Australian advertising business as Ben does. These are big (tangerine) shoes to fill. Enjoy the break.
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