Y&R hires new creative heads and looks for more

UPDATED:  Y&R chief executive Jon Ramage said like most agencies, and businesses, Y&R grew and contracted based on the needs of clients.

"Clearly there have been redundancies in the past, especially after major losses, ie BNZ in our case.  Now we're growing we're adding talent to meet the often unique needs of those clients."

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Y&R says it's on the up, with two new senior hires and plans to bring more onboard.

The agency, which recently landed the business of GE Capital and Cigna Insurance, has hired a new head of art and design, Musonda Katongo, and a new creative director in Maria Ward.

And executive creative director Josh Moore said the agency is looking to fill more senior creative positions, and is in talks at the moment to hire another new creative director.

He said Y&R's business was picking up and the agency was expanding.

As a consequence, he said, the agency was looking to reinvent the creative department, with senior creatives who could be in front of a client.

"That's what so many of our clients are asking for...every pitch is, the people in the room, am I actually ever going to see them again?  And so we want to make that sure we've got a real depth of really good senior talent."

This reinvention had not resulted in any job losses, he said, and the agency would be looking to hire the best for the job, no matter where they were.

"We've got no qualms about pinching them from our competition."

Mr Katongo has worked in Australia and London before returning home to Saatchi and Saatchi Auckland.  In 2008 he was poached by Clemenger BBDO Melbourne where he spent two years leading the design offering at the agency, Y&R said.

Mr Moore said Mr Katongo had taken a break and had moved back to New Zealand to raise his children.

He said Mr Katongo was a gifted designer, team leader and was "a really nice bloke.  His role is to add a level of polish to our client’s brands that create real cut through. His influence on the work will be apparent very quickly he is a very exciting addition to our arsenal.”

Mr Katongo said he did not hesitate to continue a trend of working with exceptional creative directors.

"It's a talented group of people, and there's real hunger to keep the momentum building, so it's an exciting time to get on board."

The other Y&R hire is new creative director Maria Ward, who comes from TAXI in Canada.  Prior to this she worked with Colenso BBDO for six years during which she became art director, the agency said. 

There, she won six Cannes Lions, the agency said.

Ms Ward said she was genuinely excited about starting at Y&R

“People always say the same things when asked about starting a new gig…I’m really excited about starting at (insert agency here)…. But I can hand on heart say this is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to being part of the Y&R team.” 

Mr Moore said they had big plans for Y&R and that she was a fantastic leader as well as being a great creative.

"Her depth of experience locally plus her international experience from Taxi is already making its mark with our current clients and those we have won but are yet to announce."