303 targets BMF’s Langley for Sydney ECD role
EXCLUSIVE – CB can reveal that BMF Sydney’s highly awarded creative director Simon Langley is heading to 303, Sydney, filling the void left after the impending departure of Julian Watt (at the end of this week) to the ECD gig at GPY&R, Sydney, which CB reported first in December.
Calls to Langley went unanswered on Friday and today, but one senior BMF staffer confirmed he had resigned. Langley has been BMF Sydney creative director since September 2007.
UPDATE (Monday 8.15AM): 303 Group has confirmed the appointment of Simon Langley as Sydney executive creative director and partner.
SaysJon McKie, managing director 303 Group Sydney: “Simon’s arrivalunderscores our position as one of the most exciting new agencies inthe market. He’s highly credentialed and a great cultural fit for ourcompany.”
Langley (pictured above between McKie and 303 Group CEO Nick Cleaver) is one of the industry’s brightest young talents whose star hasrisen rapidly since becoming Creative Director at BMF three years ago.In the 2009 One Report, he was ranked 8th ECD/CD in the world, with’TED696 Project’ the third most awarded campaign globally. Langleyhas helped steer BMF to multiple agency of the year awards includingB&T’s 2010 Agency of the Decade and Agency of the Year, as well as2009 Campaign Brief’s NSW Agency of the Year.
Says Langley: “I’m very excited about joining 303. It’s rare to find acredentialed independent agency with a terrific team already in place.They are a bright, strong, emergent agency and have alreadydemonstrated their strengths with wins like Honda, Pepsico and RSVP.”
Says 303 Group CEO Nick Cleaver: “Simon is a tremendous addition to ourteam. He joins what is already a strong line up and will help us takeour business to another level. He joins Lindsay Medalia who is based inPerth as our creative leader.”
Adds McKie: “We’re a strategic, creative agency and we think channelneutrally. We embrace great creative thinking no matter where it comesfrom. Our staff and our clients are already looking forward to workingwith Simon.”
Adds Langley: “I believe 303 has fantastic potential to become alandmark agency in this country. My brief is to turn that into areality.”
Langley started out at AWARD School in Adelaide and worked in Melbourneat The Edge, Sydney at Mojo and London at AMV.BBDO. Langley has 13years experience across accounts including Lion Nathan, IKEA,Schweppes, ING Direct, Telstra, Dairy Farmers, OPSM, Guinness, TheEconomist, RSPCA, British Telecom, Mars and Gillette, to name a few.
Langley’s major awards include: D&AD Yellow Pencils (2), Cannes GoldLions (3), Silver Lions (3) and Bronze Lions (5), The One Show Gold and Silver Clios (2),Caples (3) plus numerous local awards. He has chaired and sat onnumerous juries and will be judging outdoor at D&AD in 2010.
27 Comments
Simon Langley’s been the brains behind BMFs best work since he started there – big scoop for 303 and a massive loss for BMF.
Good Luck Langers. Wish all the best.
A big loss to BMF, but well done 303. You have snatched one of the nicest and most talented guys about and I know he will do very well.
Congratulations Langer’s and best of luck in your new adventure, all of us who have worked with you in the past know you will be brilliant.
From a WA perspective, it will be interesting to see if Langley will be working with their agency in Perth. Andrew Tinning apart, there is little real quality creative direction in Perth. Simon’s presence would therefore be a welcome addition
Massive move. Simon has made made BMF the place it is in the last few years.
He has consistently won awards as well as new business.
I’ve just seen that the ‘6 Beers of separation’ doco has 2 finalists at the OneShow entertainment awards.
http://oneshowentertainment.org/downloads/OSE-FINALISTS.pdf
A couple other Aussies have finalists too. (Surprised you haven’t reported on this Lynchy)
Anyway, all the best Simon.
Tsss, BMFs success has always been Warren’s doing and he’s done it well. Simon wouldn’t be leaving BMF if it wasn’t for the fact he wants more creative control. Or money.
6.04, stick to ifuckedmymother.com
You’re a snide little wanker, and your nasty little seeds are so transparent it’s a joke.
Congrats Simon and all the best. Looking forward to seeing what you do over at 303.
Anonymous 11.14PM, regardless of who’s been behind BMFs success in recent years, who could blame Simon for wanting more creative control. Or money?
11.14PM:
I know I want more creative control and money. Actually, I could pretty much do without the creative control and just take the money.
Congrats Langers. BMF is losing a great creative.
Big move for whatever reason. Good luck Simon.
But the Big question now is – who will fill his shoes at BMF.
Hmm 10.58.
What odds can I get for Shane Bradnick?
More creative control he will get – in fact more creative he will do himself – without the support of a big fat creative dept….
Thanks 2:09
I wasn’t aware that Yoda now worked in advertising.
Thats just great.
Has anyone EVER seen Droga and Yoda in the same room?
Well done 1:04, you’ve certainly mentioned a front runner in the race to fill the golden chair. Bradnick’s currently at 4:1
But I’m getting some major interest in a roughie, currently great odds at 52:1 – Patrick Cahill.
Place your Bets!
Well done Langers. 303 are lucky to have a fantastic talent and a lovely person.
Well done Langer’s you will be fantastic.
I know your BMF friends are very upset to see you leave. Having worked with you for many years I know how good you are, how much you care and what you put into the job. 303 are very lucky and will reap the benefit.
NG
Well done Langers. You deserve every bit of success.
i can’t help but notice that Langatang is using the classic ‘get buff quick’ technique, of pushing from behind the guns.
The gun club is gonna miss ya Lang.
DK 4 BMF CD!
Congratulations Langers. A sad day for BMF. 303 must be over the moon. Its great news indeed.
Good point 9:25
What are you doing with your guns in that photo Langer’s?
A fiver says it won’t go to Paul Fishlock
303 looks like a much more creative place than BMF.
They’ve got desaturated, high contrast lighting in their offices.
Well done Langers, what a great opportunity. I’m sure 303 will love you as much as your BMF friends do!
4.48 (Yoda reference)
That’s without doubt the funniest comment I have ever seen on this blog! Although “I want to shoot myself in the cock” from the St George campaign promo a couple of weeks back comes a close second.
I laughed out loud. Thank you!