Ogilvy Melbourne promotes Ant Simmons to ECD role following Hilary Badger’s departure

Ogilvy Australia has promoted group creative director Ant Simmons to ECD, filling the role left by Hilary Badger, who joined Leo Australia as announced yesterday.

The highly experienced creative and strategist with more that 20 years’ experience in creative leadership and branding roles, first joined Ogilvy’s Melbourne office a year and a half ago.

Prior to Ogilvy, Simmons was founder of independent agency Heartland, where he worked with an international client base including Mecca Brands Australia and Heineken Asia Pacific. He also worked on the launch of sexual consent advocacy campaign Teach Us Consent, lead by Chanel Contos.

Simmons was also previously creative director at Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne, responsible for delivering integrated thinking across traditional and non-traditional formats. This resulted in the delivery of awarded work for Myer, Deadly & Proud for Treaty, plus leading the re-brand of Belong and launching AFLW. Other senior roles including Asia-Pac regional creative director at global branding agency Elmwood, and strategy director at Passport Brand Consultancy.

In a statement on LinkedIn, Toby Talbot, CCO of Ogilvy Network AUNZ said: “I am so proud to announce our new ECD for Ogilvy Melbourne. The one, the only Ant Simmons. In his short time with us, Ant has been nothing short of masterful across all our clients. His passion for craft and his strong understanding of our clients’ business made him the natural successor to Hilary. Can’t wait to see what Ant, Max McKeon and Bridget Jung get up as a team of creative leaders.”

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