Mike Spirkovski has left the role of chief creative officer, Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, “to start something new”. He was also part of the Worldwide Saatchi & Saatchi Creative Board as well as the Worldwide Toyota Creative Leadership Team, and was chairman of AWARD 2017-2019. Under Spirkovski’s leadership, Saatchi & Saatchi was Australia’s most-awarded agency at D&AD, Cannes, The One Show, New York Festivals, Spikes and London International Awards last year and In 2021, he was ranked the #1 CCO in Asia Pacific by The One Club global creative rankings.
Spirkovski joined Saatchi & Saatchi in July 2014 as an executive creative director and became chief creative officer at the end of 2016. Prior to Saatchi, he had been executive creative director at Droga5 Sydney and Clemenger BBDO Sydney as well as creative director of Cassius Clay, the agency he founded, 2008-10.
Anthony Gregorio, chief executive officer, Saatchi & Saatchi, stated, “Spirko has been such a fundamental part of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia for the last eight years, and he leaves an incredible legacy of creativity. He has been a part of so many of our award-winning and business-changing ideas. The highlights being consecutive years winning a Cannes Innovation Lion and being part of the most-awarded campaign in the world in 2021 with ‘Donation Dollar’ for The Royal Australian Mint. His contribution over the years on Toyota has also been exceptional; helping to develop some of Australia’s most remembered and loved work.
“From a personal point of view, I will miss having a mate and partner to sit opposite, to discuss and solve problems with. The great thing about Spirko is it is never just business. It’s always personal as well. His personality and energy are infectious, and I’m going to miss working with him. I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say it’s been a pleasure working in the amazing ‘Spirko Era’ at Saatchi & Saatchi. Spirko has decided to follow his passion for a better future for us all and will be working with Publicis Groupe, consulting on a new sustainability project. Whilst I’m sad to be losing him, I’m delighted that he can work in a space he is extremely passionate about.”
Spirkovski added this message:
“During my time here, I have had the pleasure of working with the world’s biggest brands creating solutions across innovation & technology, product & utility, film & entertainment, and cultural brand acts.
“I have been lucky enough to work for an agency that enabled me to do rewarding work and win both individual awards – being ranked number one CCO in Asia Pacific by the One Club Global creative rankings and this year named the 7th most creative CCO in the world by The Drum. I have also been surrounded by an outstanding team, which has led us to be Australia’s most awarded agency at D&AD, Cannes, One Show, New York Festivals, Spikes, London International and very recently Agency of the year at AdFest 2022.
“Some other highlights include consecutive years winning a Cannes Innovation Lion, Ads of the year, WARC Grand Prix’s, D&AD Impact pencils and most importantly awards For Good and Humanity. Plus, being part of the most-awarded campaign in the world in 2021 with ‘Donation Dollar’ for The Royal Australian Mint. Over the many years I am particularly proud of the work I have done with Toyota developing some of Australia’s most remembered and loved campaigns for the brand.
“Doing purpose-driven work has been incredibly important to me throughout my career – creating the Earth Hour initiative, now 15 years later a globally recognised and enduring brand, with billions of supporters worldwide. Other meaningful work includes Toyota’s Landcruiser Emergency Network, Westpac Rescue Rashie, UNICEFs’ 5 Fund, St George Foundation, Made from Melbourne, Sony Foundation Sleep Exchange, and recently Citizens of The Great Barrier Reef, all making an impact on the world that’s bigger than just creating a great brand.
“The environment and the welfare of people have always been close to my heart and a real passion point for creating the most important work over my two decades in the Advertising Industry. In my next chapter I want to continue doing purposeful work. I will be staying on with Publicis Group, with a focus on sustainability and all it entails – environmental, social, cultural and economic. More to share on this soon.
“But for now, to Saatchi & Saatchi, our amazing people, and all our loyal clients thank you for the best eight years of my career. It has been one of the greatest experiences anyone could have asked for, and while it’s goodbye for now as your CCO, I know I will continue to work with some of you, just in a slightly different capacity. It’s been a true honour and I will always live by Nothing is Impossible, no matter where I am. I’ve also got the book on “how” just in case I forget.”
