Ogilvy has hired awarded creative, Max McKeon, as its new Sydney ECD, with the agency’s focus on return on creativity to build its business.

McKeon joins from nearly four years as group creative director at Special Australia, and before that roles at Colenso BBDO, Saatchi & Saatchi New York and The Monkeys Sydney.

One of his crowning creative achievements is the Saatchi & Saatchi Superbowl ad, It’s a Tide Ad, while at Special where he worked on big-name brands such as Uber Eats, Kayo Sports and Pepsi. His work has won at most of the major awards – Cannes Lions Grand Prix, multiple D&AD pencils including a Black Pencil, One Show, Clio and LIA.

Ogilvy Network ANZ chief creative officer, Toby Talbot, stated, “Max has no right to be the humble, self-effacing human that he is with a body of work like his. He has his name on two of my favourite ads of all time, It’s a Tide Ad and I’m drinking it for you. We’re incredibly excited to have him join the Ogilvy family at this time. Taking on the Sydney ECD role will allow him to develop his creative leadership potential even further. He can bring his formidable skills to our clients, people and culture. His curiosity for different-shaped ideas is a great fit for Ogilvy, and his desire to work closely with our other creative leaders across all disciplines of our business was a big attraction for him.”

McKeon will work with ECD, Bridget Jung, who will continue to focus on earned creativity, overseeing creative at Ogilvy PR, as well as leading the creative output of Ogilvy Health and Ogilvy One. 

Ogilvy Sydney managing director, Michelle Holland, commented, “Max’s passion for craft and his ability to connect with audiences across different platforms makes him a truly exceptional creative talent.  He’s known for pushing creative boundaries and fostering a collaborative and inspiring work environment, aligning perfectly with Ogilvy’s values and focus on developing transformative and inspiring work.  We’re excited to welcome him to the team.”

McKeon added, “Ogilvy, as a network and locally, has really been hitting its stride in terms of talent, clients and the work. I’m very flattered that this wonderful team, at such a great moment, would lend me their coattails. It’s such a powerful and varied offering, and that makes for a very interesting playground. In the immortal words of David Ogilvy ‘I’m pretty jazzed’.”

McKeon starts in the middle of March.

Cover image l-r: Bridget jung, Toby Talbot, Max McKeon, Michelle Holland and chiff strategy officer, Fran Clayton