Lowe Sydney lures Grey South Africa’s Mike Barnwell to executive creative director gig
Lowe Sydney has hired 38 year old South African Mike Barnwell as its new executive creative director, who was most recently ECD of Grey South Africa, based in Johannesburg. He fills the role temporarily held by head of art Simon Cox after the departure of former ECD Dave Johnson in mid 2009. Cox departed the agency earlier this year.
Barnwell told CB: “Lowe Sydney’s size has enabled them to be a little more nimble footed than some of its larger competitors. And with the weight of the Lowe Group behind them, they’ve been able to punch well above their weight.
“They’re a bit like some weird amalgam between Michael Flatley and Michael Tyson, just without the tight pants and ear biting. Can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on.”
Barnwell got into advertising following a disastrous career as a hairmodel. After a successful 4.5 year stint at Net#work BBDO he joinedDraft FCB where his work for Vodacom earned him Ad Review’s Campaign ofthe Year and his launch campaign for the Toyota Tazz quickly saw itbecome South Africa’s best selling vehicle shortly after its release.
In 2005, he joined Grey SA as ECD where he was tasked with raisingtheir creative profile. In less than two years, Grey had their bestawards haul in decades, winning a host of local and internationalaccolades including Gold, Silver and Bronze Lions at Cannes and twoD&AD Yellow Pencils. During his tenure, they were consistentlyranked as the Grey Group’s most creative agency worldwide.
Barnwell was ECD on this radio campaign for Geronimo condoms, which won two Yellow Pencils at D&AD plus a Gold Lion at Cannes in 2007:
He’s also been a judge at Cannes, D&AD, Clio and The London International Awards.
29 Comments
Could not help but notice his massive biceps.
Go Mike!…welcome to ‘stralia!
Who needs “luring” out of South Africa! His feet wouldn’t have touched the ground when he got word. HA HA.
Stanley Street Butcher St. Ives has the best Biltong in Sydney.
didn’t the palace just try this? how did that go ?
Great guy. Congrats Mike.
I’m Australian, and no expert, but Springbok Delights on Mowbray Rd Lane Cove also does decent biltong and boerwors.
May 5, 2010 11:38 PM
rubbish mate, Springbok Delights 656 Mowbray Rd, Lane Cove… that is where its at boet!
Hey Mike. Welcome. A little advice, don’t forget to protect the nether region if you come on this blog. They like to fight dirty.
Should’ve waited ’til the World Cup finished
the joint at rose bay has great biltong and if you are looking for something a bit fancy don’t hesitiate to try Victor Churchill in Woollahra. yum!
A great craftsman and CD, and a nice guy. Are you going to reform Helvetica Bold as Helvetica Neue, hey Mike?
Nice guns
Clearly his disastrous career as a hair model has had lasting effects.
UFC. UFC!
Guns might look above average but the shoulders are below.
I was hot at 38 too.
Never heard of him…but he does look uncannily like a young bald John Travolta.
Good luck to him…he’s gonna need plenty of at Lowe’s.
Photoshop.
He is another in a long line of creatives (including myself) who have desperately tried to resurrect the once great creative reputation of this agency. I wish him well.
Lured from South Africa = Can’t find anyone here who’ll take job for 100k and a meaningless CD (of himself) title.
100k for an ecd gig at 50% tax? That’s harsh.
Springboks!!
Is Lionel still actively involved?
Congraz Mike. Nice to see the Geronimo ads I mixed with Grey SA are still getting some publicity. They’re good fun.
The problem with Lowe has never been the creatives.
The kiwis have run Lowe into the ground!
Great things to come from a “Great Bloke”
The UFC trading card PR picture is classic. Can’t take the Benoni out of this boytjie.