The Monkeys lose digital creative hotshot Jay Gelardi to US agency CP+B
Gelardi
The Monkeys have suffered a second blow to their digital department in a matter of months losing digital creative director Jay Gelardi to US full-service agency CP+B.
Gelardi, who joined the independent Sydney agency in 2011, has already moved to Boulder in Colorado to take up the role of executive creative director at the highly-awarded and respected agency, which has clients including Mondelez International, Domino’s Pizza, Turkish Airlines Coca-Cola and Best Buy.
“The Digital ECD is a critical role at CP+B,” said Ivan Perez-Armendariz, EVP/chief digital officer for CP+B in a statement. “We’re at our best when it’s filled with someone that has made the choice to live and breathe digital 100 per cent of the time.
“Jay is someone who really understands that the book of advertising conventions is being rewritten almost on a daily basis. We are thrilled that he is here to help us continue to rewrite that book.”
Gelardi’s departure comes two months after M&C Saatchi picked up The Monkeys Ben Cooper who was head of digital as its director of innovation.
Last year The Monkeys were handed the Agency of the Year award at the B&T Awards, and picked up a number of gongs including at BEFest for their branded content work for Boost Mobile Stay Living.
Gelardi started his career at General Motors in the US as web master, before moving in 2002 to London where he became head of film and creative at Agency Republic, before switching to Sydney in 2011 to join The Monkeys.
In his time in Sydney he picked up a slew of accolades for work including Oak Reverse Robberies, Intel Ultrabook Temptations, Ice Break Drag Races and Ikea Talking Pillows.
CP+B is a member of the MDC Network.
The Monkeys executive creative director Justin Drape told Mumbrella Gilardi’s role was not being directly replaced but had been absorbed into the existing team within the agency, adding: “A lot of our guys get poached or have taken up roles at some of the biggest agencies in the world, and we see it as a compliment.
“Jay is a top guy and we wish him well with the move.”
Alex Hayes
You can’t compete with legalized ganja.
User ID not verified.
Jay G is the sh**!!! CP+B were smart to snatch him up – think he’ll rock the boat over there in all good ways.
User ID not verified.
Sydney will suffer from the departure of such talent, definite win for Colorado.
User ID not verified.