Clemenger Group in ANZ has appointed Clemenger BBDO Wellington’s Chief Creative Officer Brigid Alkema as chair of the Group’s Creative Council.
Alkema started as an art director with Clemenger BBDO Wellington in 2000 before joining the Sydney team for a couple of years and then returning to Wellington in 2006. She was appointed Executive Creative Director in 2015 before taking upon the role of Chief Creative Officer of Clemenger BBDO Wellington in 2021.
That same year, she became the first female from New Zealand to be appointed to the global BBDO Creative Board.
She will continue in her role at Clemenger BBDO Wellington while now supporting and mentoring the Group’s creative leadership across Australia and New Zealand, chairing a Creative Council which comprises chief creative officers and executive creative directors from around the Group’s agency network.
The Council is tasked with developing and enhancing the group’s creative product across the Tasman, embarking on initiatives that can continue to further the Group’s commitment to creativity.
Alkema assumes the role of leading the Creative Council from James McGrath, who will step down from his current role as creative director at-large after more than 15 years with Clemenger Group.
Les Timar, CEO, Clemenger Group said: “Clemenger BBDO Wellington has worked on some of the most complex problems of our time, such as racism, road safety, toxic masculinity, climate change and COVID-19. Brigid’s creative wisdom and brilliance has transformed our work and enabled it to truly impact culture and our society.
“We are excited to see Brigid’s creative leadership extend to the Group – she is highly respected by her peers, our clients and the industry, and will build on the important creative foundations laid by James McGrath.”
Alkema added: “The role, as I see it, is to ensure our creative culture continues to thrive – making sure our talent, our relationships, and the environments we operate in, are nurtured to create the space and energy for magic.
“James is one of the most elegant creative leaders and contemporary thinkers in our industry. With intelligence, integrity, depth, and precision he provoked greatness in the work and our people year after year. He has influenced me greatly. I’ll draw upon everything I’ve learned from him to carry the creative baton with care, flair and pride.”
