Daylight NZ appoints Nicole Sykes as Executive Creative Director as Charlie Godinet departs

Daylight has appointed Nicole Sykes as Executive Creative Director, joining the agency’s leadership team this month, bolstering the female headcount at the ECD table across ANZ. Sykes steps in as Charlie Godinet, who has led Daylight’s creative since 2021 departs.

With over 25 years of experience across agencies in Aotearoa, Australia, the UK and Ireland, Sykes’ awards shelf includes golds across Cannes, D&AD, The One Show, The Webbys, Axis, The Effies and Spikes Asia – with a few Grand Prix thrown in for good measure.

Stepping in to lead the output from the indie creative and technology company, Sykes’ role is wider than brand and communications alone. It spans strategy, creative and technology, reflecting Daylight’s unique spot in the market. Sykes will hold the standard for everything that leaves the building, from brand platforms to the products people interact with.

She’s Daylight’s second senior appointment this year, following Strategy Director Mel Eckersley, who joined from Wieden+Kennedy London. Sykes will be joining the majority female  leadership team of CEO Lee Lowndes, managing partner Lizzie Robson, general manager Kristen Morris and technology lead Phil Bingley, deepening the studio’s experience as it grows work across Aotearoa and Australia.

Says Sykes: “Stepping into this role means a lot, especially knowing what Lee and the team have built together these past few years. The brands they work with are considered and deeply human, and being able to shape work that matters is a privilege I don’t take lightly. Add to that a team who are clever, thoughtful and incredibly talented, and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited to make it official.”

Says Lowndes: “Nicole is joining the business at a really exciting point. We’ve been building this thing in flight for five years now, we have a wonderful line up of trusted partners and a team who are deeply passionate about what we do. Nicole joining, with her extensive experience in building stand out brands locally and internationally adds to our unique spot in the market here, where we will continue to weave world-class strategy and brand thinking alongside content and digital experiences.”

Sykes has led creative for SKY, State Insurance, Kiwibank, Allbirds, NEON, ASB, Lion Breweries, MYER, Women’s Refuge, Coca-Cola, among others.

On Godinet’s departure, Lowndes adds: “Charlie shaped what this place looks and sounds like. We will miss him dearly, and we’ll be keeping an eye out to see what he cooks up next. Send it safely Charles.”

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