Stu Turner (above right) has announced that he will leave his role as group executive creative director at VML Australia. He joined the agency just over two years ago when it was Wunderman Thompson Australia, after four years as national ECD at The Royals.
It was a return to VML for Turner, who had been ECD at VML Capetown for a year in 2019. In previous roles, Turner was Group ECD at DDB Melbourne, 2017-19 and ECD at Havas Sydney for four years prior to that.
Turned wrote on LinkedIn, “As I finished up at VML last week, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone that made that agency experience one to cherish. Great people, modern ways of working, an unwavering belief in creativity, and the space to be who I am. Thank you to all the great humans there, particularly the crew in Brissie and Perth. You all made me better, and ironically gave me the belief in myself to go on my own. More on that soon.
“Too many people to shoutout but thanks particularly to Paul Nagy [CCO, VML Group APAC] and Adam Kennedy [MD, VML Brisbane and Perth] for the support and belief.”
Turner’s award tally so far includes Grands Prix at Cannes and Spikes, several D&AD Pencils and a Grand Effie for work with the Australian Defence Force. He has helped create and has led campaigns such as The Riderless Bike for Steve Waugh Foundatioon, Ikea Rent, The Bottom 100 for Fund for Peace, The Palau Pledge for The Palau Legacy Project.
Jeremy Hogg (above left) will leave Howatson+Company after last four years as executive creative director. During his time in the Howatson+Company leadership team, the agency has won a number of Global Independent Agency of the Year titles across D&AD, Cannes, Spikes, and LIA, while also earning recognition on Contagious’ Pioneers Best and Bravest list.
The agency has also achieved rapid growth by winning many of Australia’s biggest brands including Qantas, Domain, Myer, Vodafone, Honda, UNSW, iSelect and The Guardian.
Prior to Howatson+Company, Hogg was creative director at CHEP for nearly two years, overseeing the entire creative output of Samsung and Genea; and creative lead at DDB for Virgin Australia, Volkswagen, Unilever (Weis), FWD Insurance (APAC), McDonald’s, Foxtel, Westpac, Skoda, 2018-2020.
Hogg stated, “The past four years working with Chris and the team have been some of the most memorable in my career. It’s been such a thrill to see the agency grow from strength to strength, and a privilege to have been a part of that success. “I’ve deliberately not got anything planned. I’m looking forward to taking a little time to unwind, working on a couple of personal projects and having a few chats with people about what might be next.”
Chris Howatson, Howatson+Company founder and CEO, commented, “Jeremy’s level of care and commitment to the agency and our work is a model for all to follow. He has been fundamental to our growth, helping build the team and culture, while forming deep relationships with our clients. His kindness and creativity flows with abundance. We shall miss him dearly.”
In 2024, Hogg helped launch sister agency Plus Also Studios, an AI-powered creative technology company with Endeavour Group and Myer as founding clients.
Throughout his career, Hogg’s work has won awards at every major award show including D&AD, Cannes Lions, Clios, AWARD, Spikes Asia, One Show, LIA, Webbys, and Effies.
