“Both ourselves and our client were pretty blown away by the Creative Circle's gesture. It's been a privilege for Grey to be involved in such a worthy cause and with another 20 boxes being produced, we're obviously hoping that this is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.
Grey's team on the execution that was the catalyst for this ‘feel good' moment included Barnwell as creative director, art director Juliet Honey and copywriter Terry McKenna.
Because there were considerably more entries into the December 2007 competition than normal, the cheque handed over to the Society totally R13 000, an amount which will certainly make a dent – although small – in the expenses it incurs each month.
“I'm really chuffed that we, as a creative community, are able to start the new year ‘doing good', and I hope that it sets the tone for the remainder of the year,” says the Creative Circle's new chairman for the 2008/9 term, Rob McLennan. He is executive creative director at Draftfcb Johannesburg.
“After all, the Creative Circle is not just about addressing the business issues facing our industry but about demonstrating our good corporate citizenship and showing how we can positively contribute to society. Granted, in the scheme of things, this is a small gesture but if we can keep it up, and it encourages others to make their own small gestures, we'll have taken a big step forward.”
McLennan has been on the Creative Circle's executive committee for the last four years and has judged at the Cannes Lions Awards and D&AD. He expects his 24 months as chairman to be exceptionally busy ones, and those who know the dynamic lateral thinker have no reason to doubt him. His energy and enthusiasm for the industry is legendary, and he is certain to work tirelessly to ensure that the Creative Circle delivers on its goals and objectives.
His 2008 agenda will include attracting fresh talent to the industry, building the South African creative community's standing within the local and international spheres, and demonstrating the value of creative advertising to clients and marketers.
• McLennan began his career at Collett Dickenson Pearce as an art director. He then joined Column Advertising as co-owner and creative director. Column was bought out and merged with Lowe Bull, and he was appointed executive creative director. As ECD here, the agency constantly featured in the top three within South Africa's creative ranking, and was ranked first in 2003. After spending a year and a half as executive creative director at JWT, he joined Draftfcb Johannesburg as its executive creative director.
McLennan has collected 19 Cannes Lions and many Loerie Awards Grand Prixs and Golds, Creative Circle Ad of the Years, One Shows, Clios, and D&ADs, most noticeably for the Dulux ‘Any colour you can think of' and Axe ‘Get a Girlfriend' campaigns. In addition to his creative credentials, McLennan is also a musician and has produced five albums and six top 10 hits in the alternative rock band, No Friends of Harry. He now fronts his new band, Doris.
