McSweeney set to become McCann Erickson Central ECD
McSweeney set to become McCann Erickson Central ECDFollowing a lengthy search, McCann Erickson Central has found its executive creative director in the shape of Vince McSweeney, creative director of McCann Sydney.
McSweeney is set to move to Birmingham to take on the role, which sees Billy Mawhinney, who joined as acting executive creative director on a short term basis agree to continue to work with the Birmingham agency on a freelance basis.
McSweeney currently works with brands such as MasterCard, CPW, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, will take up his new role in January.
He began his career in advertising at McCann Melbourne, where he received the HK McCann Award for Outstanding Creative Leadership for his contribution to the General Motors account.
Said McSweeney; “I've always had it in the back of my mind to work in the UK. Both my parents are English and I have dual nationality. To be honest, even though I was brought up in Australia, I grew up on The Two Ronnies, toad-in-the-hole and FA Cup Finals.
“The way McCann Erickson Central goes about things is really impressive. The creative department already works very efficiently, so I'm looking forward to concentrating on improving the skills of the team and creating great work for our clients. I know I'm going to learn a great deal, and I'm really excited by this opportunity.”
Dean Lovett, CEO of McCann Erickson Central, added: “We are extremely excited that Vince is making the move to the UK to join us. He has been instrumental in the success of the McCanns in Australia and we are delighted that he has agreed to take on our challenge.
“Vince is an awarding-winning Creative, having received various GM APAC awards, including gold for his work on Astra and Ute. We look forward to him replicating his success here and providing our clients with award-winning creative.”
Lovett has led the search for a creative boss since January when creative director Gary Setchell announced his decision to leave the industry to teach.
Speculation turned towards KLM creative director Paul Baker returning to his former post, but this was denied leading to a long search by CEO Lovett, including a possible internal appointment.
Mawhinney then took on the role in May on a short-term basis.
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Comments
So he's ECD, who is CD?
'I know I'm going to learn a great deal, and I'm really excited by this opportunity.”
Not really what you want hear from your new creative leader, have you seen the quality of the creative coming out of Australia these days........brash, subtle as a sledgehammer.........hang on, changed my mind, he's perfect for ME Central!
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'I know I'm going to learn a great deal, and I'm really excited by this opportunity.”
Exactly what we want to hear.
Well you've got to ask the question though - why couldn't they attract someone from the UK?
Please don't tell me there aren't some serious players here.
So was it a case of McCann's not being able to attract UK talent on creative grounds, or salary?
And who moves from an award winning agency in Sydney!!!!!to Birmingham?????
I think the clue is in him being part of the McCann's network, and his work on Astra - in other words, they want an ECD for a rather large car account which just happens to make Astra's
Bonza!
13:48
The Aussie ad industry has its own limitations.
I'm not sure just how creative McCanns Sydney is anyway- not one of the big creative players. He's had a fairly rapid rise in the business- I guess he wants to try his hand in the UK, and he could do a lot worse. Maybe he's on his way to London?
'The Aussie ad industry has its own limitations'
Very well put, you don't work in PR do you....? Creativity in Australia is 1st Divison rather than Premiership, I think it speaks volumes that Dean couldn't find anyone of the highest calibre to come and work at ME Central from the Midlands and had to resort to an 'internal' from down under.
Cutting his teeth at ME Central probably isn't going to get him very far in London, unless of course that was part of the relocation package? ME Central and then down to Herbrand Street.
I think anon 13.48 rings of the truth,
ANO ECD @ MEC! WTF?
(& "ANO" would be in italics if it would let me.)
And we take it you don't work in football then 15:20?
It's not been the "1st Division" for ages. It's now the "Championship" fyi.
15.20 & 16:08
Still plenty of excellent creative talent coming from down under- Droga, Leo Premutico, Dave Bowman etc and I'm pretty sure Sydney picks up more international gongs than all the UK regional cities put together, so I wouldn't doubt its credentials too much. It's certainly not the Championship. In fact, didn't the Aussies have their best year ever at this year's D&AD?
"Dean couldn't find anyone of the highest calibre to come and work at ME Central from the Midlands"
Like who exactly? Who, from the Midlands, would have been a major coup? I'd rather see someone fresh come to the region than another incestuous game of musical chairs. And I'd rather an enthusiastic Aussie than a Londoner wanting to kick back.
16:57, I agree with much of what you say. But not this:
"Who, from the Midlands, would have been a major coup?"
First of all, what constitutes a major coup? A Pencil or two? A Titanium Lion? Wouldn't it be more of a coup to get someone with a proven record of building an agency in the Midlands, seeing as that's the world McCann Erickson operates in? (And let's not kid ourselves that regional advertising isn't a totally different animal to working in a major capital.) Also, are you making the assumption that just because someone may have worked in the Midlands their entire career and not won those Pencils and Lions, that means they're a lesser creative? How do you know, for example, that previous CD Gary Setchell wouldn't have been a world-beater if he'd spent his career in London or Sydney instead?
Finally, why does the appointment need to be a major coup anyway? Is McCanns trying to improve its business or get a few column inches?
That said, as ever, I hope he improves the region's creative standing.
17:19
Apologies- I didn't mean that in any way to be disparaging towards the local creatives- of which I am one! I am well aware there is talent locally. But I can't imagine a local hiring that wouldn't have been met with derision on this site. And I don't believe Dean couldn't find anyone locally to take the position (15:20).
I agree it doesn't have to be a major coup, and I guess it isn't anyway.
16:57:
16:08 here, you misunderstand me' I am not slagging Aussie talent (Kylie Mingoue is very good) but merely saying 15:20 doesn't know his (or her - but unlikely) football.
I bet he's telling all his mates down under it's McCann North London.
I suppose, 17:38, my mini-essay was aimed more at the Mick Greers of this world than at you - at those who assume that, just because they've done this in London and that in Amsterdam, they're head and shoulders better than someone who's only picked up the odd Roses award because he or she has only ever been given a budget of a tenner. Mick never did tell me how many of the trophies in his burgeoning cabinet he'd won from Manchester.
For anyone doubting the talent in the regions and the benefit of having a home-grown CD at the helm, look at the other three of the big four in the Midlands:
Big - the most awarded agency in the Midlands, created from scratch by Dylan Bogg and Mark Firth (Midlands raised)
Connect - created from scratch by Martin Heffernan and Ian Boulter (Midlands raised and now at the helm of the rapidly growing Chapter)
Cogent - current CDs Richard Payne and Mark Lindley (Midlands raised and now presiding over an agency that's more than doubled in size through a recession)
As for McCann Erickson Birmingham itself, the last international award I'm aware it gained was picked up by Gary Setchell (Midlands raised and doing rather well until he decided he'd rather don a corduroy jacket with elbow patches).
Now I'm not saying that there aren't some supremely talented people in London and the world's capitals. Or that Mr McSweeney isn't the best thing since sliced bread.
I'm just saying I'm sick of hearing that anyone who hasn't 'done London' is second rate.
20:08
17:38 here- that's resolved then, and yes I couldn't agree more.
16:08
16:57 here- gotcha. Sorry about the mix up.
Phew.
More negative comments for faceless people. Yes I know I'm ANON too, thats cause I have nothing to say. A bit like you lot.
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I am glad you are all taking such an acute interest in creative developments at McCann Erickson Birmingham and I hope you will all give Vince a warm regional welcome when he joins us. I also hope you will rejoice in our future creative success, anonymously of course.
Ah, Mr Lovett - another bloke who's somehow managed to be a huge success in the regions without first spending ten years in London. My (anonymous) warm welcome for Vince is assured.
Tut tut Dean.
Aren't you McCann Erickson "Central"? Not "Birmingham".
Keep it on message and all that.
This reflects the state of our creative talent (or lack of it) in this country. There are now more so called creative directors than ever because of this digital crap we have forced on us.
Well Said David Ogilvy.
Very true.
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