BMF Associate CD Brad Waggoner retires for life split between country Victoria and South Africa – David Klein promoted to CD of BMF Melbourne
After a stellar career of nearly 30 years, Brad Waggoner, associate creative director at BMF and one of the top DM creatives in the business, has decided to hang up his pen, pick up his fly fishing rod and retire from advertising.
Part of Waggoner’s DM role will be taken by BMF senior art director Jake Rusznyak (below left), who has been promoted to associate CD, working with BMF creative director Shane Bradnick (below right).
Meanwhile at BMF Melbourne, associate CD David Klein has been promote to creative director (pictured bottom).
Says Waggoner: “Weʼre moving to our house in the Upper Murray Valley in country Victoria, where we will run a trout fishing B&B and I will be a fly fishing guide and bamboo rod maker – for half the year, anyway. The other half of the year will be spent on safari at our bush lodge in Africa, tracking lions and knocking back gin and tonics.”
During his career, Waggoner has been a creative director/copywriter at George Patterson Y&R, M&C Saatchi, FNL Communications, and Leo Burnett in Sydney. He has also worked in Los Angeles and at BBDO and Lindsay Smithers FCB in Johannesburg.
His work has won numerous awards, including ADMA Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Winged Messenger, Cannes, John Caples, AWARD, One Show, Clio, ECHO, Loerie and Silver Quill (South Africa), Australian Catalogue Gold Award and London International Advertising Awards.
“Iʼve had a great time in the business and would like to thank everyone that has helped and supported me along the way, particularly the talented people at BMF – I couldnʼt have asked for a better place to spend my last four years as an advertising creative.”
Says Dylan Taylor, BMFʼs executive creative director: “Brad was the first hire when I was at M&C and we won Optus. When we won the Commonwealth Bank here at BMF, Brad was the first man we went to again. It would be fair to say he has been one of the most consistent practitioners of award-winning direct marketing in Australia. As a colleague and friend he will be greatly missed by the creative community.”
Waggoner can be contacted at: bradkwaggoner@gmail.com
23 Comments
Where is that picture taken?
I want to go there now and eat that fish.
Good luck Brad with the huntin’ and fishin’.
Congratulations Brad, you and Joan deserve every happiness (and every G&T).
I hope he’s not shooting any of the wildlife in SA.
Where is his safari lodge?
Best blog pic ever
I’ve learned heaps from you Brad as a boss, and a peer.
Adland loses one of its best.
All the best mate, you’ve earned it.
You will be sorely missed mate.
See you soon to wet a line.
@ anon 3.55, he shoots everything!
BOOM
WE’LL MISS YOU BRAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!
I was lucky enough to have Brad as my mentor when I first started writing 15 years ago, at FNL. Brad, you were always so patient and inspiring. Thank you for your time. You & Joan deserve one hell of an adventure. Bottoms up! And congratulations.
Lucky bastard
Don’t know you. Never met you. But, looking at that photo and reading those first two paragraphs, I want to be you.
Yep, that beats Pete Buckley’s fish pic for sure.
You fortunate man!
Pete Watman
All the best Brad
By the looks of it I should have pushed for more fishing tips at BMF.
Take care in the wild.
What a life! Congratulations Brad,
have a brilliant retirement!
Mr jones
Just (and fishy) desserts to a true gentleman.
Congratulations Brad.
Retiring’s been done before.
Congrats Brad. You are a professional and a true gentleman. Such a rare combination.
All the best mate.
Ant G
It was an honour to have worked with you Brad. Happy fishing!
all the best brad, let me know when you’re in SA, we’ll come down
Wanna be in a super ad?
iles
Great career and retires on his own terms. What a legend.
I’d get cabin fever within a month.
For me I’d rather have an apartment in the heart of Manhattan for 6 months and the other 6 months in a stone house on several acres in the South of France.
As they say different strokes for……
Good luck Brad looks like you found your stroke.