Exclusive: Whybin\TBWA\Tequila lures Mark Watkin from Patts to Melbourne MD role – Andrew Scott promoted to Melbourne group CEO
CB exclusive – Campaign Brief can reveal that George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne head of account service Mark Watkin has resigned and will be joining Whybin\TBWA\Tequila, Melbourne as managing director.
Watkin will report to chairman Scott Whybin and former MD Andrew Scott, who has been promoted to CEO of Whybin\TBWA\Tequila Group, Melbourne.
promoted to Head of Client Services in 2010. In the last three years he has led the Defence Force Recruiting business including the pitch and retention of the hotly contested account in January 2010 taking the
relationship into an eleventh year. Watkin was also heavily involved with winning the Defence Force Recruiting digital contract last year.
Also in his time at George Patterson Y&R Watkin has also led Sensis , AFL, Cadbury and James Boag’s business and launched the Victorian Government
Black Balloons campaign in 2006. Originally from the UK, Watkin worked at Saatchi & Saatchi London and digital agency Hyperlink across brands
including Sport England, Liberty of London, English Tourist Board and The Daily Mail Group.
GPYR national CEO Russel Howcroft told CB in a text: “All of us at Patts wish Mark well.”
Says Watkin on the appointment: “I’m excited to take this role with Whybin TBWA. It’s a great agency brand with a strong client roster. While I’m sad to be leaving George Patterson Y&R after seven great years, I’m looking forward to joining Whybin TBWA and helping build the agency further.”
Watkin won the 2010 MADC Award for Account Service Person of the year – George Patterson Y&R Melbourne also took out the 2010 AdNews National Agency of the year title too.
A keen sportsman, he won a commonwealth gold for rowing in 2002 and has won at Henley Royal Regatta. He’s since taken up more leisurely pursuits, becoming a three times Ironman Triathlon finisher and completing the 87km Comrades Ultra Marathon in South Africa.
16 Comments
isn’t that the Howcroft ‘Archibald’ pose?
Well done Mark. Good appointment TBWA.
Congratulations Watto, well deserved.
Well done Watto you’ll be missed. Good luck.
Congrats Mark! All the best
Good to see this. Watto is top shelf. Well done.
What, one piss-take comment and you change the photo?
Pretty thin-skinned for the ad industry.
Well done Watto.
You rock Watkin. Well done.
If you’re already doing the job, you might as well get the position and the raise that comes with it. Well played Watto and best of lucks for the future.
Top bloke and well deserved.
Best of luck Mark.
Shame for Patts, gain for Whybin. Well done Mark, pleased for you.
watto: a true gent in the ad industry and fucking good at it too. He’s what the rest of us should aspire to. Head down, bum up, and do it with a smile. Well done Mark, you deserve a role like this, i look forward to seeing you smash it.
What, what Watto! Great news. Many congratulations. Good to see hard work rewarded. All the best, you’ll be great.
Mark Watkin is sooo hot right now….Sorry Dan Beaumont you’ve been replaced!!
You do look hot in that photo Watto.