McCann Erickson closes door on loss-making Brisbane office
McCann Erickson is closing its loss-making Brisbane office, leaving clients including RACQ Insurance, Michael Hill Jewellers and the Queensland Water Commission, without an agency.
Chris Mort, McCann Worldgroup CEO, said it informed agency staff and clients yesterday and that it is now working out the notice period. He said the agency could be closed within one to three months.
The office, which was established in 1980, currently has 16 staff, led by managing director David Smerdon.
The closure will soon leave its clients without an ad agency, but Mort told Mumbrella it is hoping to retain accounts “in a couple of instances” which would then be serviced by its other offices.
Mort said: “McCann Erickson Brisbane has produced some superb pieces of creative work over the years – and this will always be remembered – but we are no different to any business and operate to return a profit.
“So after many years of trying to do so – through various means – we have decided to withdraw from this market and concentrate on the Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland businesses which are growing strongly.”
The closure will not affect media agency Universal McCann which continues to operate in Brisbane.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Mort, isn’t that French for ‘death’? Appropriate, nes par?
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No surprises here. I was writing that this was set to happen nearly two years ago. The real rot started with the loss of CD Rem Brujin, then constant management changes with Craig Coke and Simon Lockyer gone. Chris Searles and CD Searle (forget his first name, brother of Danny) tried to steady the ship but there was no chance and they were gone. Little by little clients and staff left, picked up by the likes of BCM, Junior and Clems. Brisbane’s probably not big enough to support too many shops.
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Hehe – Mort = dead..haha..
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Never had a hope once Simon left – the staff & clients felt it instantly and the culture changed dramatically. What a sad end to a once fantastic agency.
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Doesn’t add up. Why would you close an agency and not sell/merge what is left with another agency? RACQ and Michael Hill are strong accounts. Maybe head offices in Sydney are as brainless as they actually appear.
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I think they got the ‘Kiss of Mort’.
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Mort is a clown, I understand he fired them all from a phone conference, could not be bothered to make it all the way to Brisbane in person. Weak.
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The worst part is that they didn’t even give new MD David Smerdon a chance.
Smedo was one of the ‘originals’ who moved from CP1 to James Street back in 2001 as a Media Manager in Universal McCann. Anthony Heraghty & Debbie Stevens sold him the ‘dream’; then Simon Lockyer and Craig Coke tried to keep the ‘dream’ but obviously too hard a task because Searles turned it into an “us and them” dysfunctional agency. You’d leave too with a “what the hell happened to this place?” question!!
Smerdo knew McCann’s was a sick and depleted; Andy Geppert & Mark Smith gave a glimmer of hope to maybe get it back on track. His first goal was probably to try get its famous culture back and reunite ME with UM. I honestly think any past/original exec’s with the opportunity to give it a crack, be the victor on bringing McCann’s back to the former glory. Sadly all good things come to an end.
I hear their Christmas party this wasn’t a Wedding, a Hoe-Down, a Granny Lawn Bowls, McCademy Awards or an Arabian Night party with slushy machines – it was drinks at a pub…. I guess that’s what happens at Wake’s, right?
Smerdo, Andy, Mark & Deb – you deserve so much more respect that what the typical Kiss Of Mort has dealt but then past staff knew he was only concerned about $$.
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We are very sorry to here this at ADS and just wanted to let you all know that if there is anything at all that we can assist with especially with existing clients please give us a call on 07 3846 6611 or mobile 0418 1962 07 as we are here for you.
It is very sad that something like this happens without notice, especially for the families that rely on bring in an income each week for their families.
We wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas and a new year filled with good health love and happiness, and hope the new year brings lots of new and exciting things for you and your families.
Warmest regards
Penny
Director
Australian Design Studio
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