TASK2 hires ex-M&C Saatchi creative services director Michael Cleary in operations director role

Monday 22, October 2012 at 9:38 AM by CB

Ex-M&C Saatchi creative services director Michael Cleary (left) has traded in life at one of Sydney's largest agencies for a fresh start at one of the city's smallest, Rosebery-based agency TASK2, where he will serve as operations director alongside former colleagues Leanne Pyne and Nicola Tiernan.

The 32-year-old has also taken a financial stake in the agency, which boasts an impressive client roster that includes Weight Watchers, Ancestry.com.au and the University of Sydney Business School.

The move serves as a homecoming of sorts for the talented creative services specialist who first worked alongside Pyne and Tiernan while at Whybin Lawrence TBWA more than a decade ago. The trio rejoined forces in late 2005 when Cleary served with the TASK2 team for three years prior to securing a similar role at Host.

Cleary, whose career path includes stints at JWT, The Moult Agency and Wasserman + Partners in Vancouver, Canada, said managing large teams across multiple offices, large revenue streams, pitching and handling operations for some of the country's biggest accounts had given him an incredible skill set that would serve him well at TASK2.

Says Clearly: "I can't wait to be part of something that is growing and looking for new ways to work. Integrated production departments are the trend these days and all big agencies will tell you their departments are, rarely is this true. To develop a truly integrated content team that will show efficiencies in delivery and financial savings for our clients is very exciting."

Pyne and Tiernan said the agency was beyond excited to welcome Cleary back to the fold.

Says Pyne and Tiernan: "We're pumped about Michael returning to the TASK2 crew, he is a perfect fit for our agency. The experience and knowledge he has gained over the past few years will be invaluable in expanding our offering to clients and helping us grow the business."

Cleary's appointment is the first in a raft of changes planned for the agency which will see it actively target new business, launch a comprehensive new website and increase existing staff numbers.