Y&R NZ announces two key appointments to creative ranks – Maria Ward as creative director and Musonda Katongo as head of art and design

November 9 2011, 6:51 pm | BY Lynchy | 7 Comments

Y&R ECD Josh Moore announced two key appointments to their creative ranks: Maria Ward as creative director and Musonda Katongo (Mus) as head of art and design

maria1.jpgMaria Ward (pictured left) has recently returned from TAXI, Canada’s most famous ad agency. She spent three cold years in TAXI’s Toronto office working as a senior art director and creative lead on McCain Foods. Her work on other clients includes work for Viagra, Telus, Canadian Tire and D&AD.

 

Prior to TAXI, Ward spent a successful six years at Colenso BBDO during which time she made the transition from head of design to art director.  Since then she’s never looked back. She won six Cannes Lions in her first six years as an art director. Her work has been recognized at all other major shows including D&AD, The One Show, Clio, ADC and Young Guns.

Says Ward: “People always say the same things when asked about starting a new gig…I’m really excited about starting at (insert agency here)…. But I can hand on heart say this is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to being part of the Y&R team.”

Moore added: “I couldn’t be more happy to have Maria on board, she is ridiculously talented and a damn  nice person.  Her depth of experience locally plus her international experience from Taxi is already making it’s mark with our current clients and those we have won but are yet to announce. Together we have big plans for Y&R NZ and her ideas and influence will play a major part in the shape of the business to come.”

 

Musonda1.jpgAfter graduating from AUT in the late 90s and spending 5 years working in Australia and London, Katongo (pictured left) came back to Saatchi & Saatchi Auckland as a founding member of the ‘Craft’ senior design team. 

At the start of 2008 he was approached by James McGrath to become Head of design at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, and spent 2 years leading the design offering at Clem’s across advertising, branding, packaging, and integrated projects. The quality of people and work at Clem’s is amazing, but new parenthood was the catalyst to return home to NZ.

Says Katongo: “I’ve been lucky to work with some exceptional CDs, so when I got the call from Josh, I didn’t hesitate in continuing that trend. It’s a talented group of people, and there’s real hunger to keep the momentum building, so it’s an exciting time to get on board.”

Says Moore: “Mus is a truly gifted designer and team leader and a really nice bloke. His role is to add a level of polish to our client’s brands that create real cut through. His influence on the work will be apparent very quickly he is a very exciting addition to our arsenal.”