Waldron departs ECD gig at M&C Saatchi

UPDATE 27/8: CB hears the creative department has been told thereis a “creative re-structure” and all of their positions have been maderedundant.

M&CSaatchi New Zealand has parted company with Todd Waldron, who has been executive creative director of the agency since arriving from Asia this time last year.

M&CSaatchi CEO Nick Baylis confirmed Waldron has gone but would make no further comment on his replacement at this stage.

Before MC Saatchi, Waldron was a former BBH Asia Pacific creative director. Bornin the United States but resident in Asia for much of his life, Waldronhas created award-winning work for clients such as Levi’s, Axe (Lynx),McDonald’s and Reebok. Under his creative leadership, BBH Asia Pacificwas twice named Agency of the Year, in 2004 and 2006.

Meanwhile, the agency has hired Englishman Simon Smith (left) as digital creative director.

Smith is a multi award-winning European digital creative, who has been at theforefront of the digital industry for the past 14 years acrossentertainment categories including gaming and music as well as mediaand advertising. He is widely acknowledged as leading the creative andstrategic development of Digital Interactive Television (DiTV).

Smith was the founder and creative partner ofWeapon 7, adigital agency purpose-built to develop DiTV. Since its inception in2001, Weapon 7 set the benchmark for creative and engaging use ofdigital communication, for clients including adidas, Coca-Cola, Nokia,Daimler Chrysler, Nissan, Xbox, EA and UIP, EMI stars Robbie Williamsand Kylie Minogue.

Weapon 7 has the honour of introducing the DiTVcategory into the D&AD awards, and has been instrumental indeveloping an evaluation model for Digital Communication in conjunctionwith Hall & Partners. Weapon 7 was sold to Omnicom at the end of2006.

Smith came out to Australia from England in September 2007, hired asdigital CD at BWM Sydney, which turned out to be only a six week stint,before joining sister Photon shop Naked, Sydney a few months later, where he stayed onlythree weeks. He then he went back to the UK citing personal reasons.