McCann Sydney recruits Jerker Fagerström as executive creative director to replace Dejan Rasic

McCann Australia has appointed internationally renowned creative Jerker Fagerström as executive creative director of its Sydney office replacing Dejan Rasic who has left the agency after 2.5 years in the role to pursue personal projects.

Fagerström has established a respected reputation over a successful international career, most recently as ECD at WPP agency DT across Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. With a background in strategy and business development, he brings a unique perspective to the creative product shaped by his experience of both the European and the Australian markets.

His appointment comes after a strong 12 months for the agency, during which it added 18 new clients, including SPRITE, Nestlé Purina, Charles Sturt University, AMP Capital Shopping Centres and Botanica Juices.

Prior to moving to Australia, Fagerström was executive creative director and managing partner at DDB Stockholm, and before that head of planning and founding partner at Saatchi & Saatchi in Sweden.

Fagerström and his teams have been awarded at every major global awards show, having collected a Titanium Lion, a Cyber Grand Prix at Cannes, a Eurobest Outdoor Grand Prix and Gold at the Webbys among other coveted gongs. He has worked on global clients such as McDonald’s, Adidas, Volkswagen, Lufthansa, Telia, Carlsberg, H&M and the Swedish Armed Forces, and in Australia his client list has included Bunnings, NAB, Officeworks, Kmart, Caltex, Bupa and Tourism Australia.

Says Ben Lilley, chairman and CEO, McCann Worldgroup: “Jerker’s appointment is part of McCann’s continued investment in world-class talent, which over the past year has included our Sydney MD Adam Lee, Strategy Director Ian MacDonald and our rapidly growing media team headed by Lyndell Sawyer. Like them, Jerker is a first-rate talent who will no doubt have a huge impact on our clients’ business. Plus he has the most awesome name in advertising.”

Says Adam Lee, managing director, McCann Sydney: “Jerker is a natural leader with the right kind of skill set across creative, technology and strategy that today’s marketing challenges require. I believe our clients will love working with him, because he’ll bring great creativity, intelligence and passion to bear on their business.”

Says Fagerström: “McCann is doing great innovative work across creative, digital and media, and it is an immense privilege to be part of this team. I am a huge believer in the potent combination of creative and technology, and I look forward to working with existing and new clients to help them create great work that works.”

Says Rasic: “I’m proud of the work I’ve managed to help get out and the creative department is in fine form with a great bunch of thinkers who will continue to carry the agency forward.”