He’s back: Mackay named executive chairman of The Campaign Palace Sydney and Melbourne
Mark Mackay has been named executive chairman of The Campaign Palace Sydney and Melbourne, returning to the agency after a two year break.
Hamish McLennan, global CEO of Y&R, who’s in Cannes week, told Campaign Brief that Mackay will reinforce management and help drive new business. Says McLennan: “It’s great to have Mark back in the family. The Campaign Palace is a world famous, iconic agency and Mark embodies all that it stands for”.
In September 2008 Mackay was replaced by South African Jacques Burger, who remains as national CEO and Sydney managing director.
Between gigs at The Palace, where he had been for 17 years, in 2006 Mackay had a short stint as CEO of George Patterson Y&R as well as the role of managing director of the agency’s Sydney office.
Besides The Campaign Palace in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, Mackayhas had stints with Saatchi and Saatchi in Sydney and London. Over thatperiod, Mackay has worked with leading creatives Phil Gough and VicWaterhouse, Lionel Hunt, Terry Bunton and Ron Mather across acclaimedcampaigns for the Commonwealth Bank, Target, Fuji and Meat &Livestock.
10 Comments
Speaking of CEO’s, (and not the guy in this story), do you think the case of the departing David Jones CEO might just be the wake-up call a certain CEO in this industry needs?
The real world is a pretty tough place, eh Mark?
Good on you Mark, back where you belong.
Can people at at the top of the Y&R tree stop referring to the Campaign Palace as ‘world-famous’ and ‘iconic’. All the work that made them such was done by people long since departed. The reasons the Palace arose in the first place are no longer there. The top-dog position the Palace used to have has been taken by other, newer shops. Young creatives no longer give their eye teeth to work there, and older ones no longer move continents at lesser pay for the chance to answer their briefs. If the people who own it really want it to shine again, stop referring to what it used to be and start giving it a reason to exist in today’s environment. Because otherwise it won’t, and it will be the everyone’s loss.
Congratulations Mark. The heart of The Palace is still beating. Just. What it appears to need is a long and over due injection of strength, leadership and belief in its future. You’re the perfect man for the job. As an old school Palace graduate I will be watching eagerly in anticipation of great things to come. You can make a difference. You have in the past and you will again. Welcome home.
Congratulations Mark.I look forward to seeing some great work.
Great to see you’re back there Mark.
You’ll make it what it should be.
Tony L
Ron, surely you meant to write ‘I look forward to RECEIVING some great work.’
Nice comments leishy- given your history! Congrats Mark- beware of back flippers!!!!
Good news. Seems right. All the best Mark.