Brisbane agency Engine has appointed François Hafner general manager.
Hafner brings almost 15 years' experience across Australia and the UK, having worked on campaigns for clients including Audi, AGL, Heinz, The Lott, Hugo Boss and the Queensland Government.
"When I first met Franc, I knew he was our kind," said managing director Tim Weger. "I walked away energised and realised immediately how big an impact he'd have on the business."
Hafner was behind Audi's "Clowns" campaign, which won a Grand Prix at the IPA Effectiveness Awards, a Graphite Pencil at D&AD and Campaign's "Best of the Best".
Weger described Hafner as a big thinker with a global viewpoint who is deeply invested in the creative product and knows his best years are ahead of him.
The appointment follows a period of accelerated growth for Engine, including the agency's Bravehearts campaign and the recent hire of globally awarded creative Joe Hawkins.
Hafner said he has admired Engine from afar for a few years, with the recent Bravehearts campaign making him sit up and take notice.
"It's the kind of powerful, purposeful work that we all want to be a part of," he said. "When I met Tim, I felt the ambition he has for the future of his agency."
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