303Lowe Perth elevates Richard Berney to ECD as agency co-founder Lindsay Medalia steps back

303Lowe has promoted creative director, Richard Berney, to executive creative director of the Perth office.

Berney (near left) replaces creative founder Lindsay Medalia (far left), who will step into a part-time role at the agency.  Medalia, who founded the Perth-based advertising agency in 1990, will remain on the management team but will step back from day-to-day duties.

Berney, who has been with 303Lowe since 2006, will assume the ECD role immediately and will take full responsibility for the Perth creative department. Berney will lead the creative team working across the breadth of local clients as well as working closely with Sydney ECD Richard Morgan.

Prior to joining 303Lowe, Berney worked for a number of top agencies in Sydney, London and Amsterdam before returning to his native Perth. His work has been awarded at every major creative show in the world, and year-on-year in Effectiveness categories. Multiple Gold Effie awards and a Grand Effie for The Office of Road Safety’s ‘Enjoy the Ride’ campaign are backed up this year by the EFFIE winning ‘AshBecLee’ web series for Perth Racing.

Says Al Taylor, group managing director of 303Lowe: “This has been a long-term transition plan of which Lindsay has been the architect. We are delighted to have our proverbial cake and eat it too, in that we have the ongoing guidance of Linds’ creative brilliance combined with the ambitious talent of Rich. It’s an exciting time for the agency.”

Says Berney: “There are no good books, big brother programmes, or apps for being a good Creative Director. It’s old school like that, you need to find a mentor – you just can’t figure it out alone. It’s not sink or swim because you are officially the floatation device.

“One of the most important moments in my professional life was meeting my mentor for the last decade, Lindsay Medalia. He swims beautifully. In fact, around here he is the ocean. Or a gentle tide. Lindsay is modest and would feel uncomfortable with even a private thank you, so here’s a public one. Thanks Linds, for all the counsel. For a thriving creative department. And for the open water ahead.”

Says Nick Cleaver, national chief executive officer, 303Lowe: “This is a transition that has been planned for many years so it’s a very natural step for the agency and locks in a very experienced and talented management line up. It sets a perfect platform for the ongoing evolution of our business.”