Worthington adds AIM Proximity ECD title; Levi Slavin to return as deputy CD of Colenso BBDO

EXCLUSIVE- The Colenso BBDO, Auckland creative department has been one of the most stablein the New Zealand industry, but ECD Nick Worthington is now looking to make hisfirst significant changes since joining two years ago. The first changeinvolves Worthington himself, who will take over ECD responsibilitiesfor Aim Proximity Auckland, giving him leadership of the total creativeoutput of 100 College Hill.

“Colenso BBDO and Aim Proximityare working closer than ever before on integrated ideas like the YellowTreehouse, so it makes sense to have one creative leader of thebuilding.  And who better to lead and inspire creatives of anydiscipline, than Nick Worthington,” says Jim Moser, CEO Clemenger GroupNew Zealand.

Worthington is searching for a new CD for Aim Proximity to partner withnew CEO Adam Good: “Our goal is to be one of the world’s best creativeagencies that just happens to be in Auckland.  So we need to make surewe attract world-class talent,” says Worthington.

To that end, Levi Slavin (pictured) is returning to Colenso BBDO inJanuary 2010 as deputy creative director. Slavin, an Aussie originally from Perth,worked at Colenso BBDO in 2006, and left a legacy of iconic work likeTip Top Trumpet “Tog, Togs, Togs” and the launch of Frank soft drink. He then moved to Saatchi & Saatchi Auckland and has spent the lasttwo years at Saatchi & Saatchi London, working on campaigns forT-Mobile, Carlsberg, P&G and Cadbury.  Most recently he completedthe first global campaign in Guinness’ history, working with directorAntoine Bardou-Jacquet on a campaign that has run in USA, China,Africa, Ireland and the UK.

“It’s great that Levi is coming home to Colenso.  Everyone who workedwith him loves him and the work he did here speaks for itself,” saysWorthington.

“Colenso has always been my favourite agency. It has the best cultureand does the best work.  I can’t wait to get started,” says Slavin.

Whilst one of Colenso BBDO’s favourite sons is returning home to theagency, two of its favourite sons are leaving. Josh Lancaster and JamieHitchcock are leaving at the end of the year to start their ownagency, Josh & Jamie.  The pair have spent three years at the agency and have beenone of its most awarded teams, winning at Cannes, Clio, The One Show,London International and Axis.

“Josh and Jamie are a great team who can win creative awards and solveproblems for big clients. You couldn’t find a team more ready to starttheir own thing and we wish them every success,” says Worthington.