Former Host/Havas Sydney ECD has begun his own agency, full service independent creative agency, Coffee Cocoa Gunpowder, with Chiquita King, former managing partner DDB Group Australia. Melder is creative partner and King is managing director of the new agency.
They have a very simple mission statement – actually it’s a vow – “to deliver audacious creativity and do good in the world.” The name, Coffee Cocoa Gunpowder, underlines both their creative ambition and determination to do things differently. The agency’s ethos, People Are Everything, sums up the kind of work the two partners seek to do, the way they do business and the way their work gives back.
“The agency’s approach to work starts by seeing the world through the eyes of people not brands. In terms of business, Coffee Cocoa Gunpowder rejects unwieldy processes, bad service and mediocre outputs. And it will always donate 5% of its profits to sponsor individuals with potential whose progress is limited through circumstances, injustice or lack of basic resources,” Melder and King noted.
The agency opens its doors with a foundation client which remains undisclosed for the immediate short term.
Chiquita King, aka CK, has a strong rep in the industry as a champion of people and ideas, paired with a passion for spotting, guiding and maximising potential. She started out in advertising in her native South Africa at the legendary hotshop, The Jupiter Drawing Room. Moving to Australia in 2009, she built her digital and CX nous at Lavender before heading up the Optus account at M&C Saatchi. She subsequently ran the Westpac account at DDB where she led a series of highly-awarded brand campaigns created with some of the world’s most sought-after directors. CK is also a proud mum of three whose kids provide her with invaluable perspective on a daily basis.
Ant Melder has held creative leadership roles at world-class agencies in London and Sydney, including Saatchi & Saatchi, Iris, M&C Saatchi, DDB Sydney and, most recently, Host/Havas. In that time, he’s created breakthrough work, built cultures and won pretty much every advertising award there is to win. He’s a member of the AWARD Committee and a Director of the PatientSafe Network. He is also a passionate advocate for diversity and recently launched the Brown Riot podcast series, celebrating industry leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Melder and King have a working history together – at both M&C Saatchi and DDB.
CK commented, “Ant and I have learned a few things on our pathway here. Some things so valuable I want them etched on our walls so we never forget. And I hope we learn even more in the years to come. But more importantly, we want our values to be self-evident – in our actions, the work we do, the way we do business and the way we give back. We have nothing to lose and everything to prove.”
Melder stated, “We looked around globally and saw awesome independent agencies like Joan in NYC and Uncommon Studios in London working in new ways and making a real impact – we’re aiming to do the same here. The time feels right to inject some fresh thinking and much-needed humanity into the industry. Coffee Cocoa Gunpowder is founded on the core principals of creative ambition and being a force for good. And nobody embodies those ideals more than CK. Her passion and integrity are unrivalled – I’m so proud to be bringing this new offering to market with her.”
The doors of Coffee Cocoa Gunpowder are now officially open and more info can be found here.
