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Mike Spirkovski leaves Iris after less than a year for Saatchi & Saatchi ECD role

Spirkovski

Spirkovski

Saatchi & Saatchi has poached Iris Worldwide’s Sydney executive creative director Mike Spirkovski to replace the departing Damon Stapleton.

Spirkovski leaves Iris after less than a year with the global independent network, which at the time was his seventh role in five years. He was previously with Droga5, and has also had stints with Leo Burnett, Publicis Mojo, Cassius Clay and Clemenger BBDO Sydney.

The departure of Stapleton was seen as a blow for the agency which has been staging a recovery since Michael Rebello came in as CEO along with Stapleton and planning director Jason Lonsodale. Last week Saatchis lost its place on the Lexus creative roster to M&C Saatchi.

In a statement released this morning  Spirkovski said: “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Mike, Jason and the team, and look forward to taking Saatchi & Saatchi into a very exciting future. This is an incredible opportunity to lead as the ECD and drive the Sydney business.”

The announcement:

Saatchi & Saatchi has announced the appointment of Mike Spirkovski to ECD of its Sydney office, effective July 7, 2014.

Michael Rebelo, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney says: “It’s with great excitement that we announce Mike Spirkovski as the new ECD for Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney.”

“Apart from being highly awarded, Mike is a truly respected and admired creative leader and has created some of the most interesting and progressive work around. Most importantly, the chemistry with Mike is spot on. He has the perfect blend of humility and hunger that will be an inspirational force in the hallways of 70 George Street.”

Mike Spirkovski says that joining an iconic brand like Saatchi & Saatchi has always been a long-term goal.

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Mike, Jason and the team, and look forward to taking Saatchi & Saatchi into a very exciting future. This is an incredible opportunity to lead as the ECD and drive the Sydney business.”

Spirkovski has been in the advertising industry for more than 15 years, working on iconic and global brands across all aspects of creativity and innovation. His expertise has seen him work with some of the world’s biggest brands at some of the best agencies around the globe, such as Droga5, Clemenger BBDO, Leo Burnett and has even founded his own agency, Cassius Clay.

Spirkovski has earned a multitude of awards, including a Titanium Lion and back-to-back gold, silver and bronze Lions at Cannes. His most recent campaign for UNICEF and Qantas Change For Good initiative 5 Fund is already drawing global attention.

Mike’s work for Adidas and the All Blacks has already been recognized around the globe and his recent digital innovation projects for Vivid Sydney show that he knows how to create work that gets noticed. He is well known as co-creator of the Earth Hour initiative, which is now a globally recognised brand.

Alex Hayes

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