303 MullenLowe Australia CEO Nick Cleaver departs agency after nearly 15 years in the role
Nick Cleaver has today confirmed he is leaving 303 Mullenlowe after leading the company as its Australian CEO for almost 15 years.
Cleaver has been the architect and driving force of the agency’s growth and development taking a small Perth based agency and transforming it into a revered national operator after opening a Sydney agency in 2008.
The new agency grew rapidly to become one of the country’s largest independents before the sale of 51% of the group to the IPG international agency, Lowe, in 2011. The remaining local shareholding was sold down over the following six years with the agency becoming 303 MullenLowe in 2015. Cleaver expanded the agency’s offer championing the integration of creative, media and tech disciplines in the process attracting a list of blue chip clients that include Audi, Budget Direct, Harley Davidson, Citibank, Bayer, HBF and the Cancer Institute.
He has a long and distinguished career; prior to joining 303 MullenLowe, Cleaver spent 16 years with DDB Australia rising from the position of account director to become the agency’s national CEO and chairman.
Says Cleaver: “It’s been a wonderful and successful journey and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve been privileged to work with some brilliant people and some amazing clients but I’m eager and excited to move onto a fresh challenge. I’m immensely proud of the work we’ve done and of the talented team I leave behind. I look forward to seeing the business continuing to thrive in the future.”
Says Cam Murchison, CEO, Attivo: “Nick has a long and important history with 303 MullenLowe Australia. He built the business into a leading local agency before selling a majority of the business to IPG 10 years ago. Since then, he’s remained committed to the brand and its team, which we all thank him for. The business is in great shape with an established leadership team which will continue his focus on providing best in market solutions, and we all wish him well for the future.”
Attivo Group recently purchased a majority stake in 303 MullenLowe, and entered into a JV with IPG for the local operations of Mediahub; its first Australian investment.
6 Comments
Good luck, Nick. Enjoyed working with you for all those years! What a pity you support such a crap football team. D
Thoroughly enjoyed that freelance stint with you many moons ago, Mr Cleaver.
And eternally grateful for having met the wonderful Mr Couzelas through 303, too.
Onwards and upwards for you all.
Well that is big news. Only seems like yesterday that we both started in this crazy business on exactly the same day at DMB&B all those years ago. You should be proud of what you built. Good luck with whatever’s next.
Excellent innings Nick. You built a great agency and a great place to work – deserves to be acknowledged!
Congratulations Nick! You are one of the very good people of the industry, and I hope you stay connected to it in some shape or form. Bambini Trust lunch on me when lock-downs cease! Chris
Best of luck Nick.