The exodus continues as Matt Shirtcliffe departs Saatchi DGS to start his own shop Shirtcliffe & Co
CB Exclusive (updated) – Matt Shirtcliffe has left Saatchi and Saatchi DGS and formed his own company Shirtcliffe and Co. CB hears from a Saatchi insider that direct general manager Tony Gardner – the G in DGS – is alsomoving on, but that is yet to be confirmed. He would be the last of theDGS partners to depart. Digital creative director Aaron Dustin left last year.
After a break on Waiheke in June, Shirtcliffe says he’s looking forward to getting to work. While coy about his plans, it’s likely he’ll be drawing on partnerships he’s built up over more than a decade as a New Zealand CD. He’ll also be working closely with his wife Mary who has a strong background in agribusiness and financial services.
Formerly at AIM Proximity for six years, Shirtcliffe helped the agencygrow its worldwide reputation, consistently in the top few of the WONReport. He received the Irving Wunderman Award from the John CaplesAwards in 2006, before taking up a role as ECD of Proximity Canada. Hewas brought home in 2008 by Saatchi’s when they created a separate Direct and Digital division – DGS.
Says Shirttcliffe: “I’m proud of what we achieved in a short space oftime. From start-up, we won AdMedia Agency of the Year and created somegreat award-winning work along the way. Now it’s time to focus on thefuture and I’ll really excited about it.”
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29 Comments
Looks like the rumoured closing of DGS is true then. Matt is a class act and will do well.
Best of luck Matt. But please dial down the white on that publicity shock. I was blinded by the Hollywood white.
G-Unit?
All the best Matt!
Shirtcliff the Gardener
R.I.P. DGS.
Gloss and Matt depart Saatchi DGS at the same time.
Is anyone else wondering just how many small one and two man bands this town can support? I just don’t know if it’s sustainable. Every man and his dog has their own agency these days. Good on him for giving it a go though.
Gardner the Gardener?
Mat come back to Aim and bring a partner as all of our other creatives have left
Just what the hell is going on at saatchis?
Why does everyone always post as anonymous? Chickens.
Love your work Matt. All the best.
Is there any talent left at S&S…? you are a class act Matt.
It’s always been a pleasure to work with you Matt. I’ll miss your talent, humour & tight pants (actually I won’t miss the latter). All the best.
Ian B
Hey 6.53, Saatchis are getting rid of creative they no longer need that’s what! All these comments of no one left at Saatchis and yet they win Sanitarium and leave the staked creative department of DDB with zilch! Good on them I say. The only thing worse than an expat creative, is a deadwood expat creative who cant get a job elsewhere and is clinging to NZ like a leech!
The headline on this story isn’t right. Nor is it necessary.
Saatchi appears to be regrouping and doing not a bad job of it either.
And good luck to Matt Shirtclifee too. He’s a good guy, good to see him going off to do his own thing.
Ahhh – Tim: sounds like your pants are a bit tight, there, son. I don’t know Matt, but I do know he’s one of NZ’s most awarded creatives (and the only kiwi ever to win the wunderman). From experience of them I’d say that S&S desperately need creatives of his calibre but clearly can’t retain them…and that smells like a listing ship. Good on you Matt
Hey, Tim – there is something worse than a “deadwood expat creative who cant get a job elsewhere and is clinging to NZ like a leech”. A gutless prick who doesn’t have the stones to give his full name. Come out from behind your mummy’s apron…
– Geof (Matt’s brother, with stones)
Classic
Geoff, you spelt your name wrong.
This is one of those happy occasions when everyone involved will be better off.
Go Geoff Shirtcliffe.
I want a brother just like you.
In fact, everyone whose name has to appear on this gutter of filth and deprivation needs a big brother like you.
And don’t you worry. Matt has friends in all the best places. He’ll do well.
Surely having your brother come on here to stand up for you is as bad as, probably worse than, hiding behind your mother’s apron.
8.51. You would think that – being the insecure only child you are. Your real name is probably Nigel No Mates.
I’m with the bro’ on this one. Too many gutless pricks on this blog. You’re one of them.
Hang on 10.32. “You would think that”. How do you know 8.51 would think that. And you’re anonymous too. I’m with 8.51. Bit pathetic having one’s brother stand up for one. Especially when so unnecessary. Nearly everyone has had kind words to say about Matt. And how come Matt’s allowed a double T but poor old Geof just gets one F?
God. How old ARE you boys?
can we just slug this out somewhere girls? i’m with geoff.
Mate word is your starting a band ………. count me in , tight pants & all !!