Colony promotes Simon Buutveld to executive creative director
Strategic communications agency Colony has bolstered its creative capabilities, elevating Simon Buutveld to a new role as executive creative director.
First joining the agency in 2020 as creative, Buutveld has led creative for key client wins including Kina Bank, UNICEF, Jumbo Interactive, Queensland Country Bank, Starlight, Colgate-Palmolive, Goodman Fielder PNG, and Tisa.
Prior to his time at Colony, Buutvard has held senior creative roles at Engine Group and Ogilvy and has also freelanced extensively.
Colony founder Matt McCarthy said: “Si is truly impressive. He has a rare intensity and passion for solutions that go beyond advertising. He’s had a big impact on our business so far and is the right pick to evolve our team into one of the most effective in the country.”
“A role that lets you craft new solutions and ways to do business is a dream for me. Our Asia-Pacific client base offers the unique opportunity to start with a blank page. Often, we’re selling an entire category rather than a brand and it’s really exciting,” he added.
Buutveld believes the Colony creative team has a rare curiosity that comes from working in two countries. “There’s a culture of picking up the phone and wanting to know more, rather than making assumptions. It promotes an empathetic attitude which leads to better creative.”
Beyond concepting, Buutveld has a strong reputation for design craft in Queensland and is behind many major rebrands including City of GOLDCOAST and Brisbane Roar.
He will lead a team of five creatives and nine designers across three locations, with plans to keep bolstering Colony’s creative stable.
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