He takes over Stuart O’Brien, who has accepted the newly-created role of national creative strategy director. This will focus on solving clients’ business issues, while O’Brien will also be exploring the potential for creating a consulting services arm as Ogilvy has already done in other markets.
Executive chairman Tom Moult says Baxter’s significant experience in both the Sydney (seven years) and Melbourne offices (11 years) would help bring the two teams closer together. “(It will) allow greater collaboration between the two offices and provide clients with custom-built teams, the broadest range of disciplines and the most integrated solutions.”
Baxter says Ogilvy Sydney and Melbourne are already the leading agencies in both markets. “I’m looking forward to further evolving our offering and our work to ensure we continue to be the best partner for marketers into the future.”