Steve Doherty departs GPY&R replaced by Matt Farrugia and Julian Bell
Steve Doherty is to depart GPY&R Melbourne, with Matt Farrugia and Julian Bell promoted to the roles of managing partners of the agency.
Doherty has been group managing director for the last two years taking the reins of the agency in the wake of the departure of Russel Howcroft.
GPY&R Melbourne said it was restructuring its leadership team in the wake of the changes with the new team to report to Jason Buckley, regional COO Y&R Group.
“Right now making the necessary changes in leadership to modernise the agency had to happen,” Buckley told Mumbrella this morning. “It was always going to happen and Defence Force was only one of the reasons why we made the change. Changing the leadership structure was part of modernising, and it’s natural evolution for the agency.”
His comments come after the restructure announcement yesterday where Buckley said: “We have aggressive goals for our Melbourne team and I know Matt and Julian are up for it. They are talented professionals whose skills complement one another and both share our belief in rewarding our talent by generating business growth.
The changing of the guard at GPY&R comes just months after the loss of the Australian Defence Force account in December last year. In the wake of the account loss GPY&R chose to publish a controversial full page ad in the Australian Financial Review promoting the fact the agency had a “vacancy“.
Farrugia and Bell
Farrugia comes to the leadership role after nearly the three years as the agency’s director of digital while Bell moves to the role after nearly a year as GPY&R’s client services director.
Bell has been with the agency since January 2007 when he started as an account director.
“Both will lead but they have their specific remits. Matt will continue to lead digital and head up business development across the entire agency and Julian will continue to lead client services and shape our agency with our clients. Their combined experience and leadership will best deliver for our people and our clients,” said Buckley.
“The appointments represent a continuation of our shift away from traditional and heavy agency structures, and our deliberate move towards a more dynamic offering for our clients. Both will continue to have direct client responsibilities.
The appointments are effective from today.
The announcement:
GPY&R Melbourne has today announced a new leadership structure, promoting Matt Farrugia and Julian Bell to the roles of Managing Partners, reporting to Jason Buckley, Regional COO Y&R Group. The pair has been instrumental in transforming GPY&R’s integrated and digital output in recent years, evidenced in the agency being named the 2013 ADMA Agency of the Year, the AdNews’ Digital Agency of the Year, and with Y&R Group being recognised by BRW as one of Australia’s top 10 Most Innovative Companies.
Says Buckley, “We have aggressive goals for our Melbourne team and I know Matt and Julian are up for it. They are talented professionals whose skills complement one another and both share our belief in rewarding our talent by generating business growth.
“Both will lead but they have their specific remits. Matt will continue to lead digital and head up business development across the entire agency and Julian will continue to lead client services and shape our agency with our clients. Their combined experience and leadership will best deliver for our people and our clients.
“The appointments represent a continuation of our shift away from traditional and heavy agency structures, and our deliberate move towards a more dynamic offering for our clients. Both will continue to have direct client responsibilities.
“Today, as with all professional service organisations, agencies are best led and evolved by those who are delivering the service and solutions to our clients.
“The Managing Partners are surrounded by a talented team including recently promoted Evan Roberts who steps up to CD, Rob Jakovac – FD, Romanca Jasinski – EP and Mike Hyde – SD.”
Ben Coulson added, “Jason and I will work closely with the new leadership group. We are truly happy to give Matt, Julian and the team this opportunity as recognition of their talent and commitment. Together they will do great things.”
Says Farrugia: “I’m honored to have been asked by Jason and Ben to lead this iconic agency during such an exciting period. I’m also genuinely excited about the talented and diverse group of people at GPY&R. Our pipeline for 2014 shows strong signs of growth and opportunity as we look forward to announcing new client wins soon.“
Julian Bell adds: “It’s equally humbling and exciting to now be leading this business. We’re a high performance agency that continues to evolve at pace. I can’t wait to take to the next stage.”
The appointments are effective from today.
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Steve has a lot to be proud of over his long career within the group and will make a success of whatever he chooses to do next
Nice work gents – sad to see Doughboy go but that is the biz we’re in.
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