The Monkeys continues push into Melbourne by luring CEO Paul McMillan from Clemenger BBDO; Michael Derepas appointed Head of Strategy; Grant Rutherford tipped to take ECD role

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Paul_McMillan_LR.jpgThe Monkeys has finally announced its new Melbourne-based CEO with the appointment of Paul McMillan – snared from the MD role at Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne – as well as the hiring of new head of strategy for Melbourne Michael Derepas, the former planning director of Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne.

The Monkeys has yet to announce who will be the agency’s ECD, but CB hears Grant Rutherford (below), current CD of The Monkeys in Sydney, will return to his home town Melbourne to fill that role. Rutherford joined The Monkeys in October 2016.

Involved in some of Australia’s most effective and creatively awarded campaigns, McMillan (above) joins The Monkeys after leaving his role as managing director at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne where he was responsible for managing a staff of over 350 and a client roster including some of the country’s most respected clients. Making his mark in the industry running the Carlton and United Breweries account, McMillan’s time at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne has been filled with impressive work and industry accolades, including most recently Cannes Agency of the Year and D&AD Agency of The Year.

Grant-Rutherford-Monkeys.jpgCommenting on his appointment with The Monkeys, McMillan says: “Joining The Monkeys to head up the Melbourne office is a great opportunity. They have built a world class creative reputation and now in conjunction with Accenture Interactive they can really shape where the industry is going. I am really looking forward to working with the founders and building the latest chapter in Melbourne.”   

Recognised as the number three ‘Planning Director in the World’ by the 2017 Big Won Report, Derepas joins The Monkeys as head of strategy with a remit to break new creative ground for the agency’s growing list of Melbourne-based clients.

He departs Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, where during his 11-year stint, he helped to reinvigorate and reposition some of Australia’s best-loved brands, including Mars, Fonterra, Mercedes-Benz, Bonds and TAC. During his tenure, the agency secured much recognition for globally loved campaigns for CUB brands Carlton Draught, Victoria Bitter, Pure Blonde and Corona, and most recently the coveted Yellow and Graphite pencils for Bonds ‘Balls’ and a Wood pencil for Snickers ‘Hungerithm’.

2457782.jpgSays Derepas (left): “Being part of a team that gets to open a new office for The Monkeys in Melbourne was too good an opportunity to ignore. For a planner the opportunity to combine the creativity of The Monkeys with the tech, digital and data capability of Accenture Interactive is really exciting.”

Adds The Monkeys co-founder and group CEO, Mark Green: “We are delighted to welcome Paul and Mike to the team. They have worked on some of Australia’s most famous campaigns across multiple brands and agencies. They will help us build a great business in the Melbourne market as we begin to service new clients such as Holden.”

Says Nick Garrett, CEO, Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne: “The Monkeys is an agency that we have the utmost respect for and they’ve made two great appointments in Paul and Mike. They’re both wonderful people who deserved the opportunity to run their own show. While we’re now competitors, both Paul and Mike will remain friends of the agency. I can’t thank them enough for their time and efforts at Clemenger BBDO and wish them all the best in the future.”