Special Group launches Australian office led by CEO Lindsey Evans and MD Cade Heyde

New Zealand’s Cannes Grand Prix award winning advertising and design agency Special Group has confirmed it is opening its first international office, in Sydney.

Special Group Australia will be led by founding partner and CEO Lindsey Evans and managing partner Cade Heyde. An announcement of a founding creative partner is imminent.

Lindsey Evans’ agency and client experience spans London, New York and Sydney. She previously ran Happy Soldiers and Campaign Palace and has recently returned from a stint as President of TBWA London.

Cade Heyde has returned to Australia after six years at VCCP in London where he was a partner, running the UK’s biggest account, telco O2.

Special’s Potts Point office will open its doors with a mix of Australian and international clients, including luxury jewellery brand Paspaley, Ecostore, MARCS and All Good Organics. Special will also be joining Red Bull Australia’s agency roster and is working with Adoption Awareness, a not-for-profit organisation co-founded by Deborra-lee Furness.

“All too often traditional advertising approaches constrain how people think about brands and branding. I have long admired how Special challenges these approaches and creates breakthrough work and results,” says CEO Lindsey Evans.

“Australia is such a dynamic and exciting marketplace. The response we have had from marketing directors and CEOs so far to Special Group’s unique model and approach has been hugely encouraging. It’s very exciting to be working with brands like Red Bull, Paspaley and MARCS as we open our doors,” says founding partner Tony Bradbourne.

“There are so many smart marketers and innovative brands in Australia.We look forward to partnering with them, and with the very best of Australian creative talent,” says founding partner Michael Redwood.