Saatchi’s NZ exodus continues as Matt Shirtcliffe departs to start his own shop Shirtcliffe & Co
CB Exclusive – Matt Shirtcliffe has left Saatchi and Saatchi DGS, Auckland andformed his own company Shirtcliffe and Co. CB hears from a Saatchiinsider that direct general manager Tony Gardner – the G in DGS – isalsomoving on, but that is yet to be confirmed. He would be the last of theDGS partners to depart – digital creative director Aaron Dustin leftlast year.
Aftera break on Waiheke in June, Shirtcliffe says he’s looking forward togetting to work. While coy about his plans, it’s likely he’ll bedrawing on partnerships he’s built up over more than a decade as a NewZealand CD. He’ll also be working closely with his wife Mary who has astrong background in agribusiness and financial services.
Formerly at AIM Proximity, Auckland for six years, Shirtcliffe helped the agencygrow its worldwide reputation, consistently in the top few of the WONReport. He received the Irving Wunderman Award from the John CaplesAwards in 2006, before taking up a role as ECD of Proximity Canada. Hewas brought home in 2008 by Saatchi’s NZ when they created a separate Direct and Digital division – DGS.
Says Shirttcliffe: “I’m proud of what we achieved in a short space oftime. From start-up, we won AdMedia Agency of the Year and created somegreat award-winning work along the way. Now it’s time to focus on thefuture and I’ll really excited about it.”
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