New Y&R managing director Steve Kane knows there is a challenge ahead.
The current Whybin\TBWA creative director says the agency has potential to go “to the next level” and hopes he is the one to take them there.
Mr Kane moves to his new role in just over a month, after being approached by Y&R executive creative director Josh Moore.
He describes the DNA and client base of Y&R as “fantastic” but says bigger blue chip brands can be brought on board.
The step up from creative director to managing director, Mr Kane says, will mean a change and but his varied background (Mr Kane has been a PR man, creative director and a suit) means he is up to the task.
“I have a degree of empathy for a number of disciplines and what I am hoping to do its draw upon that.”
Pulling back from having a creative focus, Mr Kane says what he will take on is a cultural role, making sure staff are happy and the culture is right.
Mr Kane moved to Whybin just over a year ago and said he hadn't been looking around but the opportunity was too good to pass up.
“It was one of those moments where you realise it's an important point in a career to draw in my PR, suit and creative experience and hopefully be a great managing director."
He says the last year at Whybin had been fruitful and he had enjoyed working with chief creative officer Toby Talbot.
“I’m not leaving anything undone and this year we’ve turned it Whybin around into having a proper creative department.”
Y&R’s roster list includes Esquires, Westfield, The Co-operative Bank, EQC and The Interislander.
As reported last week in NBR, the agency’s grip on LG already looks shaky as the result of global shifts.
Current Y&R managing director James Hurman joined the agency in 2012 following a stint at Ogilvy Shanghai.
Victoria Young
Tue, 25 Mar 2014
Tue, 25 Mar 2014
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New MD Steve Kane: Y&R’s rebirth
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