Robyn Bergmann departs Creative Director role at VML after seven years with the agency

After seven years at VML, award-winning Creative Director Robyn Bergmann has announced her departure.

A respected creative director with over 20 years in the industry, Bergmann joined VML Melbourne in 2018, bringing with her a deep portfolio of award-winning work and international experience. During her tenure, VML tripled in size and was appointed lead agency on the Defence Force Recruiting account – an account widely regarded as one of the most creatively demanding in the country.

During her time at VML, Bergmann contributed to VML earned the #1 ranking as both Australian Agency of the Year and APAC Agency of the Year in Campaign Brief’s The Work in 2023 and 2024. The agency also secured its place among the Top 5 Australian agencies on The Work list for five consecutive years and was ranked 6th Australian Agency of the Decade by Cannes Lions.

In a post shared on LinkedIn, Bergmann wrote: “After 7 unforgettable years at VML, it’s time for something new. I am so incredibly proud of what we achieved together – we put people and creativity first, won a bunch of big awards, were ranked #1 most creative agency in Australia and APAC for 2 years in a row… created an enviable agency culture, and forged long-lasting friendships.”

Bergmann’s impact extends far beyond the walls of VML. She has served as a judge at some of the industry’s most prestigious award shows including One Show, Spikes Asia, AWARD, and the Loeries, and was appointed Co-Vice President of the Melbourne Advertising, Design and Creativity Club (MADC) in 2021. Her advocacy for diversity is evident in her work as a founding member of The Aunties, a support program that champions women in creative industries.

Before moving to Australia, Bergmann spent 13 years at Ogilvy Johannesburg, working across a wide portfolio of global brands and honing her integrated creative approach. Earlier in her career, she made history with Topsy ‘Selinah’, which won South Africa’s first Cannes Gold Lion in Film in over a decade and was later recognised as one of TED’s top 10 “ads worth spreading”.

In her departure announcement, Bergmann thanked her colleagues and creative partners, adding: “To all the VML creatives, designers and editors, I am forever your biggest fan. It was a wild ride, and I’m ready to do it all again.”

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