PUBLICIS MOJO AUCKLAND SNARES STEVE McKENZIE FROM LONDON FOR ECD GIG

Publicis Mojo Auckland has employed globally acclaimed Aussie expat creative director, Steve Mckenzie, to the creative director gig, partly filling the role previously held by Nick Worthington, now ECD at Colenso BBDO, Auckland.

Originally from Australia, Mckenzie has been working in the UK and Hong Kong for the last 18 years with high profile agencies such as APL, St Lukes, Mother, Bates, and BMP DDB.

Leaving Saatchi and Saatchi Melbourne in 1990 to seek fame in the UK, Mckenzie went on to work on some of the world’s largest brands including American Airlines, Emirates, Volkswagen, Sony, B.T., Nokia, British Telecom, and AOL. Soon after his arrival in London he won major metal for the Mushy Peas and Peperami campaigns at Ammirati Puris Lintas.

Throughout his 20 year career he has received numerous awards including D&AD, Cannes, One Show and British Television. In 2006, he won gold for best campaign at Eurobest.

Most recently working with Dave Alberts as creative director for Grey in London, Mckenzie believes New Zealand is currently one of the most exciting places to work in advertising: “It’s unrestrained, ‘no fear’ culture is producing some of the most inventive work, not only in the region, but around the world, and I’m thrilled to be joining a creative agency that has played a major part in this,” says Mckenzie.

“Publicis Mojo has a dream client list, including an ever increasing amount of international work, and I look forward to being a part of their continued success.”

Says Publicis Mojo board member and shareholder, Lachlan McPherson (also an Aussie): “Having someone of Stephen’s calibre join the team is quite a coup and further demonstrates Publicis Mojo’s commitment to world class creative. Stephen is a big player in the global market on some big brands – we can’t wait for him to get here and begin working with him.”

Mckenzie starts at Publicis Mojo on 21st April.