72andSunny appoints Nic Buckingham as ECD following departure of CCO Wez Hawes

72andSunny has appointed Nic Buckingham (left) as executive creative director, following the departure of CCO Wez Hawes (right) after only 18 months, whose move to the agency was first revealed by CB in October 2024.

Buckingham’s appointment marks a significant step in the agency’s ambition to continue elevating its creative output in Australia.

He joins the Sydney leadership team alongside Managing Director Sophie Sykes and Executive Strategy Director Alexandra Nel in steering the agency’s next phase of growth momentum.

Buckingham joins 72andSunny as a multidisciplinary creative whose career spans two decades at the intersection of advertising and entertainment across Australia and the U.S. His work reflects a rare ability to operate at both cultural and commercial scale, collaborating with talent such as Ryan Reynolds, partnering with LeBron James for Intel, and working alongside Taika Waititi for Carlton Dry. From tackling gender imbalance with the 2% Choir for The Grammys to creating culturally resonant brand moments, his work is intelligent and precise, and defined by executional craft and a deep instinct for what earns attention.

Says Justine Armour, CCO International, 72andSunny: “Sydney is an important market for us, and we have incredible momentum right now. We have a clear ambition to keep raising the bar on the kind of work we’re doing in the region, and Nic is the perfect person to help us take it to the next level.

“Nic brings a rare combination of cultural instinct, global experience and hands-on craft. He creates work that people choose to engage with, that travels, and that drives real impact for clients. That’s the standard we’re continuing to build on in Sydney”.

Says Buckingham: “There’s something ready to happen at 72andSunny Sydney and I wanted to be the one to help make it happen. Too much advertising disappears the moment it runs. I’m here because I don’t think it has to. 72andSunny has always known how to make work that plants itself in culture and I want to bring that to this market with the craft and ambition it deserves. Partnering with clients alongside Sophie and Alex to make work that earns people’s attention rather than demanding it is the plan. Working with Justine again feels right, just on a much bigger canvas.”

Buckingham’s appointment reinforces 72andSunny’s commitment to delivering senior-led, hands-on creative partnership, helping brands create work that resonates locally while competing on a global stage.

Says Armour: “We’re incredibly grateful to Wez for his leadership and the contribution he’s made to the Sydney office. He’s been an important part of the journey, and we wish him the very best in what’s next.”

Hawes told CB: “I’m so proud of everything we achieved at 72andSunny Sydney. From being ranked the number one agency for new business wins in 2025, to all the stellar creative work we put out – with more genuinely world-class work to come in a matter of weeks. Most of all, I’m proud of the relationships I fostered with our partners and the trust they placed in me. I’m excited by what’s next and will announce my own news soon.”

Before joining 72andSunny Hawes was ECD at Innocean, joining in October 2020. Hawes was previously executive creative director of CHEP Sydney (now Clemenger BBDO), where he grew the creative department, taking it from a few teams to making it one of the biggest and most creatively awarded in Australia. He also led key clients including NRMA Insurance, Samsung, eBay and IKEA. Hawes departed CHEP in September 2020.

Hawes has more than 25 years’ experience as a copywriter and creative director, previously working at Marcel Sydney as ECD and joint ECD at TBWA Sydney. The majority of his career was spent with BBH in London, where he rose to become partner and creative director on the global Axe/Lynx and Mentos/Vigorsol accounts – the most creatively awarded brands in the agency at the time.

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