New Republique, Sydney lures the UK’s Becky McOwen-Banks for exec. creative director role

After a global search, Sydney-based agency New Republique has appointed Becky McOwen-Banks as its first ECD.

McOwen-Banks joins the agency with 18 years experience in UK agencies both big and small and has a wealth of creative and management expertise with a strong specialty in automotive, alcohol and finance categories.

Her experience has seen her working at such agencies as McCann Erickson, DDB, iris worldwide, Geronimo and Inferno (CD).

During her tenures she has worked with brands such as Nokia, Nestlé, Sky, BBC, SEAT, Grant’s Whisky, VW, Suzuki, Pernod Ricard, Unilever, Maserati, Nivea, Electrolux and ING Direct to name but a few.

Prior to joining the agency she led the successful Sky pitch through to full stage rollout and had her integrated launch campaign for the Leon Cupra hatchback result in SEAT dealerships across the UK selling out and achieving their highest market share on record. Her re-launch campaign for Direct Line Insurance, one of UK’s largest insurance providers, not only smashed targets but resulted in a swag of awards.

McOwen-Banks will be one of only a handful of female ECDs in the Australian Advertising market. 

Says McOwen-Banks: “I am excited by what the team at New Republique has achieved and the opportunity of helping them grow to the next level.

“I hope to help raise the calibre and efficacy of creative for both existing and new clients.  The Australian market is thriving and offers scope for brilliant creative work that really makes a difference to clients. However, it falls short when many clients and agencies opt for ‘lowest common denominator’ silo-ed thinking rather than pointier creative ideas. It’s between the lines of traditional and online that we can really bring brand and digital together to gain real traction.”

Says Nima Yassini, founder and CEO of New Republique: “Becky is truly a unique talent. Her mix of creative skills, track record of award winning work and business acumen will be a very welcome addition to the team. We are excited by what she will bring our clients, team and the industry. She will head up the creative department and take a place on the New Republique board.”