M&C Saatchi executive creative director, Michael Canning, has decided to leave M&C Saatchi Ausztralia after two years.

He became ECD of M&C Australia in December 2015 following a five-year stint in the US, where he had been group creative director at 72andSunny Los Angeles and executive creative director, managing partner and executive vice president of Leo Burnett New York (promoted after one year as creative director and senior vice president).

Canning’s move to M&C reunited him with Andy DiLallo, with whom he had worked at Leo Burnett Sydney prior to the US. DiLallo left M&C Saatchi in November 2016.

Under Canning’s leadership, the agency has produced notable work that includes AIME Cogs, the CommBank CAN re-launch and educational platform Teleporter Adventures; Fireblanket, a new fire prevention technology for Australian communities in NRMA and the launch of a global platform for Lexus, Hidden Artistry. In 2017, M&C Saatchi was named Australia’s most innovative company in the AFR awards.

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Canning commented, “As a creative person I’m a big believer in entrepreneurial thinking, which is something that attracted me to M&C Saatchi from the US. With the start of the new year, I’ve decided that the time is right for me to spend some quality time on a personal venture that I’m passionate about.

“I’m very proud of the work we’ve created at M&C Saatchi over the past two years. With Cam joining this year, I know the creative department is in great hands and I can’t wait to see what they do this year.”

M&C Saatchi chief executive creative officer, Jaimes Leggett, stated, “We’re sad to see Michael go. We have always admired him for his creative mind and entrepreneurial spirit. We’re excited to see his next venture. I’d like to thank him for everything he has done at the agency.”

M&C Saatchi’s new chief creative officer, Cam Blackley, begins work in early February.