Barnwell departs executive CD gig at Publicis Mojo NZ to take ECD role at DraftFCB Cape Town
CB EXCLUSIVE: Only 15 months since taking the role, Publicis Mojo Auckland executive creative director Mike Barnwell has resigned to take up the ECD position at DraftFCB Cape Town in his native South Africa.
It is not yet clear if he will be replaced or whether Mojo partner and ECD Lachie McPherson will step in to oversee the creative department.
Barnwell joined Mojo in December 2010, filling the job left vacant by Rebecca Carrasco who departed in August 2010 after only three months. (Late last year Carrasco took a CD role at Clemenger BBDO Sydney)
Manchester-born Barnwell first came to Australia in May this year as ECD of Lowe Sydney, but left after only three months. He began his advertising career 16 years ago in South Africa, and has grown creative departments and reputations at Network BBDO, FCB, and Grey.
Barnwell’s work has been recognized with Cannes Lions, Clios, One Show and New York Festival medals of every hue, as well as two D&AD Yellow Pencils. He also has an unusual breadth of client experience, having grown auto, telco, FMCG, and financial services brands to leadership positions in their sectors.
7 Comments
Well, Mr Davis’s hit rate on creative hires is impressive. What’s that, three ECD’s he’s hired that have left in the last 3 years?
One of the nicest guys in Adland.
All the best mate.
Mike’s Barnstorming Tour Of The World.
It’s a great pity that one of the good guys of advertising was so poorly treated by an Australian agency. It’s not the sort of behaviour that makes me feel particularly proud of our industry. I hope his memories of NZ are fonder.
Nice bloke, I wonder how he will be characterising his stint in Aus.
Sad to see you go, Mike. You’re a class act and SA’s lucky to have you back.
I know he will hit new heights in SA…………wishing you and your family the very best….