Former senior PepsiCo designer joins Melbourne animation studio Jumbla in head of creative role

Former PepsiCo senior design manager Kieran Madden has joined Melbourne-based animation studio Jumbla as head of creative.

Madden is the studio’s second high-profile management acquisition this year, following the appointment of ex Starcom GM Naomi Johnston as group general manager.

Says Madden: “My role is to help bring the amazing work Jumbla does to a wider audience, while expanding our capabilities by experimenting with – and mastering – new ways to use our tools and creativity.

“Australians have always punched above their weight on the global stage. Everywhere I look I see makers, designers, artists and musicians making great original work that isn’t derivative or imitating what’s happening elsewhere. It’s an exciting time to be involved in the industry.”

Madden arrives at Jumbla following a 10-year stint in New York, which included freelancing as a design and art director with agencies Clear M&CSaatchi, McCann and BGB, in addition to Johnson & Johnson, NBC Universal, Nautica, Trojan, Mars and a range of pharmaceutical clients.

He joined PepsiCo in 2014 as senior design manager in the global brand team.

Says Madden: “Working at the PepsiCo Design and Innovation Centre was an incredible experience – the type you could only have in a place like New York.

“We were a relatively small multidisciplinary team with a broad range of expertise comprising branding, retail, packaging, industrial, 3D, motion graphics and experiential designers alongside architects, brand strategists and an innovation team.”

Madden’s work as one of PepsiCo’s creative leads for Super Bowl 51 was among his most challenging – and satisfying – projects.

Says Madden: “We had multiple venues, installations and events across Houston to engage our customers, consumers, the media and influencers in the week leading up to the game.

“Among other things, we had a massive purpose-built music venue featuring shows with Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift. That year’s Pepsi half-time show featured Lady Gaga and for the first time in NFL history went into overtime.”

Jumbla group general manager Naomi Johnston – whose remit covers the studio’s Australian and United Kingdom offices – said signing Madden was a key plank in the studio’s global strategy: “We’re committed to the ‘art of mind-blowing’ and that starts with placing the right people in leadership positions.

“Kieran has a wealth of agency and client-side experience with large and complex projects, so he’s a great fit in terms of our aspirations to build key agency partnerships and ensure Jumbla becomes the ‘go-to’ animation studio for brands of all sizes.”