Rebecca Carrasco to depart Saatchi & Saatchi to work on her PhD
Saatchi & Saatchi’s executive creative director, Rebecca Carrasco, is leaving the business after three years in order to pursue her PhD.
Carrasco, who was also the lead creative in Publicis’ bespoke agency for Campbell Arnott’s The Neighbourhood, said the recent change in the industry made it the right time to step away from agency life.
Rebecca Carrasco is leaving Saatchi & Saatchi
“I’ve really enjoyed working alongside some great clients and colleagues at Saatchi, and in The Neighbourhood, but I’ve long-held a plan to return to my PhD on ‘The Value of Creative Ideas’, and with so much change in our industry, now is the time to finish it,” she said.
“I thank Spirko [CCO Mike Spirkovski], Ant [CEO Antony Gregorio] and Mike Rebelo for all the opportunities over the past few years, and for being supportive of my decision. I hope our paths cross again when it’s done.”
Meanwhile, Spirkovski will step in to work closely with the agency’s creative directors in Sydney Michael Barnfield, Sam Chappell, Piero Ruzzene and Flavio Fonseca, to strengthen the creative team’s day-to-day support of clients.
“I personally want to thank Bec for the contribution she has made to Saatchi & Saatchi as ECD, helping to manage the creative department over the last three years,” Spirkovski said.
“I know everyone at the agency will miss her dearly and will want to thank her individually, so we’re grateful to have Bec with us until the end of the year.”
Carrasco joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 2018 as deputy executive creative director and was promoted to the ECD title early last year. She was previously the head of Facebook’s Creative Shop and spent four years at Clemenger BBDO Sydney.
Gregorio said Carrasco will continue to contribute to the agency through the findings of her PhD.
“Rebecca is a true professional and an amazing person, and we’re sad to see her go,” he said.
“Her commitment to her PhD in identifying the value that creative ideas make to business means we can still take advantage of her brilliant mind in the future. We wish her all the best.”
