Robert Morgan.
Robert Morgan, who was hired 46 years ago by advertising agency leader Peter Clemenger as an account executive, is retiring at the end of the month as chairman of the Clemenger Group.
The young Robert Morgan was promoted after 10 years to run Clemenger Melbourne and did so for eight years. And when Clemenger stepped down in 1998, Morgan became CEO of the Clemenger Group and joined the BBDO Worldwide Board.
Morgan was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame in 2014.
“I have loved the business and have been incredibly lucky to have had the career I’ve had. But the best thing has been the remarkable talented and wonderful people I’ve worked with,” said Morgan.
“We have a strong company. And I’m confident of the future. As long as we never forget – great work, works best!
"I’d like to pay a special tribute to three people. Les Timar, a wonderful leader and friend for the last 27 years, Adrian Ciabotti, the best financial leader we’ve had along with the legendary Hylton Mackley and last but definitely not least, Meagan Smith who has worked with me (and really run the company) for the last 25 years.”
Morgan last month stepped down as the chair of umbrella arts group Creative Australia. He started as chair of the Australia Council for the Arts in July 2021 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Les Timar, CEO of Clemenger Group said it is very rare for someone to have spent such a large part of their career with one company.
“But Robert has always been the exception to the rule,” Timar said.
“He is a courageous, respected leader who has championed creativity and has been instrumental in growing Clemenger Group to the successful network of advertising, marketing and consulting companies it has become today.
“Robert has also been a fantastic mentor – always generous with his time and wisdom – and a tireless advocate of our company’s longstanding values, none more so than ‘Think We, Not Me’.
“Thank you Robert on behalf of all of us at Clemenger Group. Your contribution to our company and our country’s marketing and communications industry has been nothing short of remarkable.”
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