Host/Havas Australia chief creative officer Darren Spiller set to depart the agency after 18 months
CB Exclusive – Campaign Brief can reveal that Host/Havas chief creative officer Darren Spiller is departing the agency after 18 months. Spiller was the agency’s first chief creative officer.
Spiller joined Host/Havas last year, two months after departing his role as DDB Melbourne CCO.
Spiller joined DDB Melbourne in 2012 as ECD, replacing Grant Rutherford, and was promoted to CCO in February 2015, a move which saw a major creative restructure for the agency. During his time at DDB Melbourne, the agency enjoyed a creative resurgence, developing high-profile work for Westpac, Devondale and RSL amongst others.
Prior to joining DDB Melbourne, Spiller held the role of CCO at Fallon USA, moving to Minneapolis in June 2009. Before Fallon, he was regional creative director of Publicis Mojo Australia and New Zealand.
Says Spiller: “We are approaching the first birthday for Host/Havas and by any measure, it’s been an excellent 12 months. It was always my intention to help deliver the successful integration of Host and Havas Sydney before stepping aside to allow others to take it forward. The agency is in the shape of its life, so now feels like the right time for that to happen. The ECDs are incredibly talented and more than capable of taking the reins, and I wish them all the very best.”
Host/Havas has received of a long list of creative accolades this year, most notably for the Palau Pledge campaign. It was AWARD Agency of the Year in May and also the recipient of a Black Pencil at D&AD and three Grand Prix at Cannes Lions, including the Titanium Grand Prix.
Host/Havas confirmed that Spiller’s role will not be replaced with his duties being shared amongst the agency’s executive creative directors, Seamus Higgins, Ant Melder and Jon Austin.
Says Laura Aldington, CEO, Host/Havas: “I have been lucky enough to call Daz both a great friend and a great colleague over the years. It has been a genuine pleasure to partner with him again in the creation of Host/Havas and I am grateful for everything he has done to set us up for success. He leaves us in very safe hands with a formidably talented line up of creative leaders, and I’m excited about where they’ll take us next.”
Says Anthony Freedman, chairman, Havas Group: “I would like to thank Darren for his passion, commitment and creativity and wish him every success in whatever adventures lie ahead.”
With regards to future roles, Spiller advised that his first priority was to enjoy some well-deserved quality time with his family in Victoria but would be advising of his future plans in due course.
28 Comments
Defence Force related?
TBH Darren has been planning this for a while with Anthony and Laura (who are just as solid as he is). Their plan worked. Darren has options, Host Havas are strong and have a great team, job done, all good.
Dazza you legend! Good luck with whatever comes next.
Sometimes roles aren’t right for any number of reasons.
Darren is a wonderful leader and a great man.
Wishing you the best where ever you head Darren.
Ya break my heart. Gutted you can’t stay longer. For an old bloke, you’re a breath of fresh air. Thanks for your refreshing and honest advice, your guidance has been invaluable. Keep your shoes spicy, and your pants tailored.
Comes on strong. Very strong. But genuinely one of the most talented and nicest people i’ve had the pleasure of working with. Always made my shit ten times better. Looking forward to the pool party, Daz. Stay spicy.
He’s such a nice boy. And talented! Sheesh!
It seems like only yesterday he was at AWARD School.
Have learned so much from this guy, not least how to make a mean cheese platter. All the best Daz, thanks for everything. It’s been a pleasure.
Saatchi Sydney?
What a man, such a talent. I’ll miss those risottos. X
Thanks for everything, ya big bloody legend. Mainly the truffled ham, but also the invaluable advice and constant support. But mainly the truffled ham.
Saatchi?
I hope he finds a big network agency capable of supporting his vision.
Havas is much too small an agency for his talent, and he belongs somewhere that has the big network to support his big ambitions.
Are any of these comments NOT written by the remaining Host/Havas creative department..?
Here’s a comment from someone who doesn’t work at Host/Havas:
You can’t deny his track record.
He certainly creates a momentum in a place that’s for sure, and leaves it in a much better state on exit.
The challenge for Host/Havas is to keep up that momentum, otherwise they’ll go the way of Mojo Melbourne and DDB Melbourne.
So all in all he basically does the CCO thing very, very well.
Does that work for you @I told you so ?
Nice one Daz. Looking forward to hearing about your next move. In the meantime, enjoy Smeaton Hill. Go easy on the instagram filters.
It must have been awkward for some of the Host team to stand on stage at Cannes and take credit for the Palau Pledge multiple Lions.
nah it was easy
Polarising.
Gutted to see the third best-dressed man in the agency move on to the next adventure.
Dazzler… it was an absolute pleasure working with you!
You’ll be missed.
“and leaves it in a much better state on exit”. I’m sure a lot of the people in the agencies you mentioned will disagree with that statement.
There seems to be an ongoing theme to his arrival and departure.It’s surely a case of buyer beware next time around.
I was under the impression that Darren did the Palau work.If he didn’t who did?
Good bloke. Smart man. Best wishes for whatever lies ahead Daz.
It was Jon’s idea
I wish.
Maybe we can finally do a followup to Groovejet (if this ain’t love) xx
You legend Daz! Talent and a good human. All the best.