CB Exclusive: The Monkeys Melbourne ECD Grant Rutherford set to depart for new venture
Campaign Brief can reveal that, after a year of helping set up The Monkeys Melbourne office, ECD Grant Rutherford has resigned and will form his own venture, effective January.
Rutherford has been with The Monkeys nationally for two and a half years, initially consulting before joining on a full-time basis in October 2016.
His remit has included creative directing clients Telstra, Parmalat and MLA, most notably ‘Beef. The Greatest’, plus the launch of online betting agency BetEasy with Ricky Ponting, and multi-award winning Lamb ‘Celebrate Australia’ and ‘Diversity’ campaigns.
Closer to home, Rutherford has been acknowledged with the prestigious ‘Creative Leader of the Year’ title at the Melbourne Advertising and Design Club for creative contribution to the industry. His work has been included in the permanent collection at the MoMA in New York and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
Rutherford has served on a number of marketing peak bodies: The Communications Council, the Australasian Writers and Art Directors Club (AWARD) and the Melbourne Advertising and Design Club (MADC). In 2010 he co-founded the Snowdome Foundation in memory of his daughter who died of Leukaemia, which has so far raised over $25 million for charity.
At press time Rutherford was unavailable for comment.
33 Comments
“Rutherford has been with The Monkeys nationally for more than three years, joining in October 2016.”
That’s 2 years, not 3.
Can’t imagine Ant left Clemenger behind only to have to share the creative reigns.
Congrats Rub.
These guys move faster than freelancers….
Congrats and best of luck Rub. Look forward to seeing what amazing things you do next.
Can’t imagine you know anything about either of the two legends you imbecile, you clearly have no clue.
You’re awesome Rubz, can’t wait to see what you got cooking up!
Dear What?
2016 + 2017 + 2018 = 3 years (not 2 years)
That must hurt.
Melbourne seems pretty terrible across the board.
Well done Rub. No doubt your next step will be exciting.
On ya Rub!
Why am I hearing so many horror stories about that place? Teething issues can only be an excuse for so long.
Think about it again my friend.
2016 + 2017 = 1 year.
2017 + 2018 = 1 year.
All up = 2 years.
The stories are right. Place is a boys club
The work is below average. Over hyped agency. Even clients are noticing it. No creatives want to work there.
Grant, all the best. You will kill it.
Dear What?
I’ll explain it again slowly
Jan-Dec 2016 = 1 year
Jan-Dec 2017 = 1 year
Jan-Dec 2018 = 1 year
1year + 1 year + 1 year = 3 years.
So,if Rubba has started in June 2026 it would be 2.5 years etc etc.
Understand now?
Nice one Rubba! Hope the new venture involves vintage cars and sessionable beers. And maybe guitars.
Good luck with whatever you do next Rub. I’m sure you’ll kill it.
Skylar, there’s rot.
It’s ok, Rub will be ok. Don’t be bitter. They all remain friends.
That’s a lot of jobs he’s had.
All haters – not sure where you are getting your information from. Monkeys is the best place I’ve ever worked.
Good luck Grant!
@ I work here.
“Not sure where you are getting your information from”? Leave the building for a change and talk to people. You’ll find out.
Yeah, cos bitchy bitter adland gossip is the gosepl!
You are either bitter or jealous? Which one is it?
Hey @ Reality
I leave the building every day and talk to people in the industry. They all want to work here. I don’t know who you are talkng to.
Oct 2016- Oct 2107 = 1 year
Oct 2017 – Oct 2018 = 1 year
+ a handful of day
get off the ‘roids and stop being so aggressive when you clearly can neither read or do math
I like how they edited the article to refine the length of time, but still managed to exaggerate.
@@Dear what?
Think you’ll find Oct 2016 to Oct 2107 is 91 years. That’s a pretty decent stint.
E=MC squared. Apart from that, I haven’t got a clue about maths.
Two years or 3, doesn’t matter. Any time spent in advertising these days must seem like an eternity.
What a disgusting little bunch of insecure boys.
Congrats in advance Rubber on your next move.
Is it shit there or not? The people I’ve spoken to about the Melbourne office seem to suggest it’s awful. But then so is Clems, Thinkerbell and BWM if the same people are to be believed……
What we have agreed is that there a a few jealous haters who are hell bent on throwing shade on The Monkeys, Clems, Thinkerbell etc.. Probably because it makes them feel good for 10 seconds, then ashamed for about a minute, then enraged that someone has the temerity to respond to them. So business as usual.
I have worked with the Monkeys Melb, and they are all a stand up crew. Also, good luck Grant, you sexy thing.
That is what is agreed.
No… and there’s nothing really to agree upon, no one knows unless you work there.
I don’t know who you’re talking to but everyone I know at the Monkeys Melb and Thinkerbell have sounded pretty pumped and excited with how things are going and the work they’re putting out (more the former on that one though). I’m sure they have the same gripes that every other agency has too, especially ones that need to grow fast while simultaneously setting up their workflow & processes at pace, and needing to be profitable ASAP because they’re owned by accountants. Maybe the sour grapes you talked to were venting. Grass is greener and all that.