Mike Spirkovski leaves Iris after less than a year for Saatchi & Saatchi ECD role
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.
“which at the time was his seventh role in five years” Seriously is that necessary or relevant to this announcement. Is the writer suggesting tenure is a major issue in this industry??. It would appear that it isn’t for Saatchi. Well done Mike
Well done Spirko. Great bloke, great Agency. I’m sure it will be a happy marriage.
Of course tenure is an issue.Look at the big successful shops and you’ll see the power of stability-especially between CD and CEO.Andy and Todd at LB,the Monkey boys,the Toms at M&C,Peter and James at Clems-all have had years together and time to build trust and confidence from clients.Then look at the revolving door agencies-Mojo,Patts,S&S and the dear departed Palace.
Always ALWAYS look at someone’s history.If they have constantly moved there is a reason they are gypsies.
Absolutely agree with Tom on this – seems like a bit of dig at the number of agencies he has worked for…don’t forget agencies drop employee’s when they lose clients, and the number of freelancers is amazing in the industry…
Saatchi have just lost a top class ECD after a short period of time in the role.
The number of Mike’s historical tenure should undoubtedly have been an issue for them when considering him for this job.
They’re clearly very confident that they can keep him for longer because the last thing they need is more turnover. Rumour has it their salary budget was huge, so maybe he won’t be able to move on to a bigger role so soon
good luck to all
Tenure clearly wasn’t an issue as Mike got the job. As somebody who has moved about a bit myself, my shortest tenure was a day, it always comes up in interviews but everything has a reason and can be explained in 30 seconds.
Its a pity that the conversation focuses on the negative and the not on the great work that Mike has produced.
Tim, of course tenure is an issue, but advertising is a supply and demand culture. Some creatives have no option but to move on every couple of years as their careers take flight and bigger and better offers come along. Sure, it will be great to maintain stability as you mentioned in order to create meaningful relationships. But go and tell that to the bean-counters. Talent is the most important resource of an agency, but as long as talent is seen as just an overhead and not as an investment, the majority of really talented people will continue to move on to greener pastures. I for one, never met a truly great creative that stayed at one agency for more than 4 years. Unless they had a real big pair of golden handcuffs.
Spirko is one of the best, nicest, hardest-working blokes in the business.
Onwards and upwards to all parties.
To all you anonymous gossip hounds and second-guessers: Get a fucking life.
Pretty sure five years ago Andy was at JWT. The Monkeys lost two ecds in less than a year. M&C is probably a victim of people being there too long, the work is crap, boring, derivative and safe.
Please know the facts before you fire off.
How long were Andy and Ben at JWT for?