Euro RSCG hires Phil Johnston as planning head

Top planner Phil Johnston has been lured from Sydney shop gho to head of planning at Euro RSCG, Sydney, replacing Claudia David, who has moved on after less than a year in the role.

Johnston’s career in planning spans more than 24 years and he has worked in multinational agencies and large and small independents across global and local brands.

“Phil brings a depth of planning, leadership and management skills – an enviable combination,” says Anthony Gregorio (pictured above left with Johnston), CEO of Euro RSCG Group. “I worked closely with Phil for three years at FNL so I know how good he is.  He will be a tremendous asset to the agency and an invaluable member of our management team.”

Says Johnston: “I have a huge amount of respect for Ant and a belief in the latent strength of what lies within Euro RSCG. I’m very excited about getting in there, getting involved and helping build Euro into a highly-respected agency, known for the quality and effectiveness of its work.”

Prior to moving to Australia from the UK in 1998 to join JWT, Johnston worked with Poulter Communications and Gold Greenlees Trott in the UK, and Lowe Howard-Spink in London and New York. The last two years he spent as planning director with gho. Prior to that he was planning director and part owner of Oil Communications for 4 years. (In 2008 Oil was bought by Glasshouse to form gho).  Before that he spent 4 years with FNL Communications as their planning director.

Johnston’s experience stretches across most categories and his clients have included, Diageo, Commonwealth Bank, Energy Australia, Orange, Unilever, Mortgage Choice, Sony, Ateco Automotive, Woolworths (Ezy Banking), Financial Review, King Gee and many more.