Whybin TBWA announces senior management changes

McLeay is replacing David Walden, while Andy Blood will step down as executive creative director to explore new opportunities. 

Walden and Scott Whybin, founder and chairman of Whybin TBWA Group, started the company in 1997. “Whybin TBWA’s continued success is important to me and I know the agency will be in great hands with Toby and Todd,” Walden said.

The appointments are with immediate effect, while both Walden and Blood will be around to ensure a smooth handover.

The appointment also ended months of speculation about Talbot after he returned to Auckland from Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe Y&R in London, where he was the executive creative director.

During his previous stint in New Zealand, he worked with several agencies, such as Colenso BBDO and Saatchi & Saatchi and handled campaigns for brands like SKY TV, NZ Lotteries and Steinlager.

Talbot also won Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 2011 ‘Australia/New Zealand Creative of the Year’ and was responsible for DDB’s numerous ‘Agency of the Year’ titles.

Blood hopes 2013 will be more successful for Whybin TBWA New Zealand. “I decided last year that I wanted to move on. To start afresh and explore new opportunities,” he added.

Todd McLeay, meanwhile, joins WhybinTBWA from APN New Zealand where he was the chief operating officer, responsible for all local publishing and digital business, including The New Zealand Herald.

He was previously the CEO of NZ Lotteries, where he worked with Talbot.

McLeay said the combination of creative and commercial success at NZ Lotteries is what the duo want to bring to the agency.

Scott Whybin, founder and chairman of Whybin TBWA Group, noted that McLeay has a reputation as being “one of the most customer-centric business leaders” in New Zealand.

“Andy has been with us for almost nine years and has contributed enormously to our strong growth and creative reputation,” he added. “Filling Andy’s shoes was a near impossible task, so we are thrilled that Toby will be joining us.”