Jon Ramage set to exit Y&R NZ as ECD Josh Moore takes control of agency management

After seven years, CEO Jon Ramage is leaving Y&R New Zealand to take time out from the advertising industry leaving executive creative director Josh Moore (pictured) to lead the agency.

The move comes just over a year since NZ born Moore joined Y&R from Us, Sydney, where he was creative partner.

Y&R non-executive chairman Ross Goldsack says it is no secret the advertising industry has been under sustained pressure during the global financial crisis, and Y&R has not been immune: “Jon has borne much of that pressure and has decided he’d like to take a break and recharge his batteries.”

Goldsack paid tribute to Ramage’s work at the Parnell agency: “Jon and I had some superb successes together and Jon was the leader who took us to the Fairfax AdMedia Agency of the Year in 2008.

“Jon is a terrific person, smart, articulate and incredibly personable. Not only has he been a great colleague but he is also a mate as well.”

Goldsack says Ramage has agreed to help both him and Moore with the transition during the next few months: “We’re in good health. The agency teams are flat out and our client’s business is our key consideration right now. I am also grateful for the support of our Australian Y&R team which has the resources and the commitment to back the business as we move ahead.

“We are also very much focused on the welfare of our people and to that end, no further staff changes are mooted.”