Julian Watt named ECD of Patts Sydney

EXCLUSIVE – 303 Sydney ECD Julian Watt has been named executive creative director of George Patterson Y&R, Sydney following the transfer of James Procter to the ECD post at Y&R’s Singapore office.

Y&R global chief creative officer Tony Granger said that Watt isone of the world’s great young CD talents: “Indeed, we have had our eyeon him for some time.  We are looking forward to seeing the impact hewill create for our Australian clients and the George Patterson Y&Rbusiness.”

Watt had a stellar career in South Africa as a board member and shareholder of Net#work BBDO before relocating to Sydney in February last year as ECD of 303 Sydney.

Widely regarded as South Africa’s best and most innovative agency Watt led a team at

Net#workBBDO which collected a massive haul of local and global awards,including the 2007 Cannes Outdoor Grand Prix for Nedbank.  At 303 heworked across a range of clients including Ikea, Harley-Davidson andnew business wins Gloria Jean’s Coffees, RSVP, the Prime Minister’sNational Binge Drinking Initiative, Red Rock Deli and Honda Jazz.

GPY&RNational CEO Russel Howcroft said the Watt appointment capped off asignificant boost to the senior management line-up of the agency’sSydney office: “Julian has a brilliant track record and is the perfectchoice to take the baton from James and build on the work Procter hasdone in lifting the agency’s creative product. Partnered with PhilMcDonald and with the depth of the team, including acclaimed plannersJon Steel and Moensie Rossier, Patts Sydney office is poised for analmighty comeback.”

Says Watt: “It’s an exciting time to bejoining. Patts is a great agency brand and has undergone some seriouschanges. But great brands endure. The team that I’m joining is topclass and very aligned, all excited to get on with it and do some greatwork.”