Innocean Australia CEO Peter Fitzhardinge to depart
Innocean Australia CEO Peter Fitzhardinge has announced he is stepping back from the role.
In a statement provided to Mumbrella, Fitzhardinge said he achieved his two goals with the agency to “attract some great people and do good work”.
Fitzhardinge was at Innocean Australia for five years
“Five years is a fair stint in any one role. It’s been a fun ride and I can honestly say that no day has ever been dull,” Fitzhardinge said.
“When I came in, I wanted to achieve two things, attract some great people and do good work. In people like Jamie, Philip, Trevor and now Karl Bates and Craig Sloane, we’ve got a great lineup and the work under Steve Jackson, Paul and Dan has got better and better. And we’re now working with new clients and brands.
“Unlike the usual, this is an easy decision and the time is right. The agency is in a good place and now’s the time for someone new to come in and bring their own style and thinking. It’s also right for me.”
Fitzhardinge joined Innocean in 2015 from Whybin TBWA where he was managing director. Prior to that he was general manager of Leo Burnett Sydney and director of client services at George Patterson.
The news comes a week after Innocean added Supercars to its client list. The creative agency also services the accounts for Hyundai, Kia and Open Shop.
Fitzhardinge said he will be taking some time off after staying with the agency for a ‘transition period’, and then entering “a rather new and interesting arena”.
“I’m fortunate that I can take a good break and ‘Holiday here this year’ [a reference to Tourism Australia’s current domestic campaign] before coming back and applying what I’ve learned in a rather new and interesting arena,” he said in a statement.
“I’ve always believed your role is to hand things on in better shape than you received them and hopefully, I’ve done that.
“I’ve agreed to stay on for a period to help a smooth transition for Innocean and to ensure the clients are well looked after during this time. The process to find my replacement is in train.”
Last year, Innocean Worldwide entered a Scheme Implementation Deed to acquire 85% of the issued share capital of creative production and digital marketing services company, Wellcom. The deal was cleared by the Federal Court in October.
Peter has done an excellent job over the past 5 years at Innocean. He deserves a break and will be an asset to whichever company he joins next
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Peter was a 1st class operator in my experience as a client some time ago. Wherever he ends up that company is the winner.
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Absolutely agree Nick. Fitzy is a top talent and a top man.
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