Former BWM Denstu managing director Alex Carr has been appointed as managing partner of Bastion Banjo.
Banjo founder and managing partner Andrew Varasdi is transitioning into the new role of executive chairman of Bastion Banjo after 12 years.
In this role he will maintain a strategic relationship with existing clients and support Carr and existing partner and co-founder Ben Lyttle in driving the future direction of the agency.
"As part of the agencies re-structure Alex’s appointment in a partnership role along with other significant investments into the digital space will ensure a strong continuity of leadership for this next phase of growth for the agency,” says Varasdi.
“For over 30 years, I have had the privilege of working with some of the industry’s most talented people and to work on Australia’s most iconic brands. But starting and building Banjo has been one of my proudest achievements.
"As we look to the future, having Alex come on board to help Ben and I run the business is key to our ongoing success. I am looking forward to this next stage of my career – working with our clients and people in this new role will be hugely fun and rewarding.”
Carr most recently ran BWM Dentsu where he helped drive the creative reputation and subsequent growth of the agency.
In his tenure, BWM Dentsu won a number of new clients including Qantas and American Express plus a number of prestigious creative and effectiveness awards including Grand Prix at Cannes and a Black Pencil at D&AD.
"I am so delighted to join the team at this fiercely independent agency. Vara, Ben and the team have shaped a very special business that quietly punches well above its weight," says Carr.
"Their grown-up approach to brand strategy, branding and a variety of communication disciplines in order to drive the best outcomes for their clients was a massive draw card. They have never wavered from their original mission of creating long term brand stories that sell."
Carr says one of the "huge" selling points for joining Banjo was to work for a collective instead of a network.
Bastion Collective acquired a majority stake in Banjo back in 2018.
“Bastion Banjo joined Bastion Collective almost two years ago to the day. Since that time, we’ve grown considerably to form the largest independent communications agency in Australia," says Bastion Collective global CEO Jack Watts.
"We are thrilled to have Alex join Ben, Andrew and the rest of the Banjo leadership team. The Bastion Banjo business is in incredible shape and it’s great to see another experienced campaigner in Alex sign up to our mission to create the great Australian agency.”
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