Former Y&R Group chief executive officer Phil McDonald joins BCM in the role of partner

Independent agency, BCM has announced that Phil McDonald will join the agency in a new equal partnership with existing owners Paul Cornwell and Kevin Moreland.

McDonald was most recently chief executive officer of Y&R Group, Australia and New Zealand.  He spent 11 years with the group and is credited with leading a creative and financial turn-around of Y&R in the region.  The agency won a host of global effectiveness and creative awards in that time and attracted many blue-chip clients and some of the industry’s best talent.  In 2016 Y&R was the most awarded agency in the ANZ region at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity.

McDonald has over 20 years’ experience in strategy and management positions, working with market leading creative companies including Y&R, IdeaWorks, VML and Leo Burnett, where he was group managing director, based in South East Asia for five years.

Says Paul Cornwell, managing director, BCM: “We’ve had our eye out for years for a person that we felt would be a good cultural fit at BCM, but also one that would make a big contribution to the future of our agency.  Phil fits that brief perfectly, so we’re very excited that he’s coming on board.  A person of his calibre doesn’t come along every day.”

Says Kevin Moreland, joint MD, BCM: “We’re really looking forward to forming a new partnership with Phil and putting together plans for the continued reinvention of the agency, and to capitalise on all opportunities that are out there for the agency and our clients.”

Says McDonald: “After a long time working in the big, global, multi-nationals, I am very excited about the prospect of joining a more agile, creative independent.  Particularly in times like these, where creative passion and an outright focus on clients and what they need in such a fast-paced world is so important.  BCM has built an impressive reputation as one of the leading independent agencies in the country and they have a wonderful group of clients.  I am delighted to be joining Paul and Kev, and the whole BCM team.”

McDonald starts with the agency immediately.

BCM is one of Queensland’s largest and most successful advertising, communications and digital agencies. Additionally, BCM is recognised as one of Australia’s leading independent agencies, having operated for over 40 years as a full-service independent. The agency has enjoyed national and international recognition for its strategic thinking, creativity and effectiveness over this time.  BCM service a range of Queensland-based clients, who operate in local, national and international markets.