Prue Jones.
R/GA has appointed Prue Jones national executive creative director, experience design and Ben Yabsley national executive creative director.
“Prue and Ben bring the energy and creative ambition that reflects the direction we’re taking as a business,” said R/GA managing director, Australia, Victoria Curro.
“We’re building a leadership team with the vision and versatility to lead through change.
“Our independence and culture of reinvention allow us to respond in real time to where culture, technology, creativity are heading next and help our clients do the same.”
Jones is formerly design and creative director at Accenture Song.
“While a lot of agencies keep repackaging the past and calling it innovation, R/GA knows true future impact comes from inimitable talent, sharp AI plays, a killer client roster and unbridled creativity as the red thread through it all,” Jones said.
“Wholly independent and free from the noise of holding company politics, it also brings global scale with deep local expertise. I couldn’t resist all that. Let’s go.”
Yabsley rejoins R/GA where he previously worked as a creative director in the New York office.
He recently worked as the group creative director at Dentsu Creative New York.
He has worked on campaigns for The New Yorker, Budweiser, IMAX, 7-Eleven and has been recognised at Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, ADC, Clios, Caples, Spikes Asia, The Webbys and FWA.
“I’m so excited to be returning to Australia and to R/GA. I can’t think of a better place to be for the upcoming advertising revolution, in a country that values ideas above all else, and at an agency with reinvention baked into its DNA,” Yabsley said.
“What’s always drawn me to R/GA is the chance to collaborate across disciplines with the sharpest minds in design and technology.
“It’s the kind of environment where great ideas happen and surrounding yourself with people smarter than you is an amazing career cheat code.”
Jones and Yabsley will join R/GA Australia’s executive team alongside managing director Victoria Curro and executive strategy director, Marie Conley.
They will work closely with chief design officer, APAC Ben Miles, chief technology officer, APAC, Guill Rodas, newly appointed global executive director of AI Products, Ben Cooper and Michael Titshall, APAC CEO and global head of AI products.
Seamus Higgins, R/GA Australia’s chief creative officer, has departed the business.
“While we’re incredibly sad to see Seamus go and the feeling is mutual. We fully support his decision,” Curro said.
“Family comes first, always. Since rejoining R/GA two years ago, Seamus has made a lasting impact on the work, the team and the culture.
“We’re deeply grateful for everything he’s brought to the business.”
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