Droga5 creates new CEO role for Gohil, appoints ex Clems Sydney ECD Spirkovski to CD gig on Woolies, promotes Fergusson to digital CD

March 20 2012, 1:01 pm | BY Lynchy | 17 Comments

sudeep3.jpgScreen shot 2012-03-20 at 1.30.53 PM.jpgDroga5 Australia has promoted Sudeep Gohil (left) to the newly established role of agency CEO, appointed Mike Spirkovski (near left), until recently the Joint ECD of Clemenger BBDO Sydney, to creative director, focusing on the Woolworths brand, and promoted Andy Fergusson from his current position as a creative head, to the newly created position of digital creative director.

The promotion comes on the back of the agency winning ING Direct, the huge Woolworths brand, as well as hearing they’ve made it to the final shootout for the coveted Qantas business, against incumbent, Publicis Mojo.

Gohil (above left) is one of the agency’s original founding Partners, alongside David Nobay, creative chairman, Marianne Bess, managing director and Wayne McPhee, CFO. Duncan Marshall, one of Droga5 NY’s founding partners also officially joined the Sydney agency last year, as Partner/ECD.

 

Since helping to launch the agency over four years ago, Gohil has assumed the role of the agency’s Executive Planning Director.

 

Says Droga5 Australia creative chairman David Nobay: “I was instrumental in bringing Sudeep out from the US to Saatchi’s because I recognised even then that he was so much more than simply a world class Planning Director. It was clear he shared my frustrations about the diminishing role of marketing within the larger business context and was equally excited about what was possible. Since then, he’s done a fantastic job of building one of the most senior and respected planning departments in the region. So, now it’s time to focus that big brain of his on helping me shape the company into something that truly reflects our brand’s vision for the future.”

Prior to returning to his Australian home, Gohil was Global Planning Director for W+K in Portland, responsible for Nike worldwide, as well as P&G’s now celebrated Old Spice brand. Before that, he was planning director at BBH’s UK and Tokyo office on Levi’s.

 

His position as Droga5’s executive planning director is replaced by Justin Graham, who’s been Gohil’s deputy for over a year now, since leaving his job as global planning director on Gillette at BBDO NYC.

 

Says Gohil: “There’s no greater compliment as a Department Head than realising you’ve actually hired your way out of a job. Justin has been central to helping me build the way we plan at Droga5 over the last couple of years, and he’s hugely respected by both our people and our clients. For me, strategy, business and creativity have always been part of a single conversation. As CEO, I’ll be able to focus on pulling all three closer together.”

 

David Droga adds: “I’m delighted Sudeep’s talent and vision put us in a position to promote from within. He is part of the DNA of our brand.”