Independent agency Special has made a series of leadership appointments, adding four to its national leadership team: Sasha Firth, Simon Gibson, Nils Eberhardt and Christie Meischke.
"We are incredibly excited by the serious firepower these awesome humans bring to everything Special,” said CEO and partner Lindsey Evans.
“We have always said that all we really have to set ourselves apart is talent and the culture we create for that talent to thrive, the rest will take care of itself.
"Special has somehow managed to consistently attract and retain an unfair share of the very best. We are beautifully poised to supercharge our future fit offering and accelerate the creative impact we deliver for the ambitious brand owners we are privileged to work with."
Sasha Firth joined Special in May 2024 and has been appointed permanently as managing director, leading Special Australia nationally alongside Tori Lopez, who has been with Special Australia since its beginnings.
Since joining, Firth has played a key leadership role across the business and most recently led the Melbourne office. In her role, she will focus on national integration and future-fit operations, including AI, technology and innovation enablement.
Firth joined Special from DDB Group Australia, where she spent five years as managing partner.
"I couldn't be happier to have been reunited with the brilliant human that is Sasha - we have enjoyed many years of adventures in this industry together, at The Campaign Palace and Happy Soldiers, and over the last year she has made an immeasurable impact on our Melbourne business, its momentum, culture and performance," Evans said.
"She is an all too rare talent who has exceptional leadership skills and lives our values - open, kind and brave - in every way."
Christie Meischke joins as people and culture director, a newly created national role in which she will spearhead Special's culture, talent development and employee experience, supporting the agency's expansion across Sydney and Melbourne.
She brings industry experience across human resources, policies and practices, including the implementation of Special's psychosocial program "Work Better, Feel Better". Most recently, she spent several years at OMG Australia and Hearts & Science.
"Christie's appointment fuels Special's ongoing commitment to putting its people and culture first," said Special Australia managing director Tori Lopez.
“We are thrilled to not only have been able to attract such a well-respected and well credentialed professional, but someone who so beautifully combines genuine empathy with ambition.”
Simon Gibson and Nils Eberhardt have been elevated from group creative directors to executive creative directors, in recognition of their long-standing creative partnership and role in shaping a culture of creativity and standard of work.
Eberhardt joined Special nine years ago and teamed up with Gibson five years ago. Across their tenure they've been integral in work including Uber Eats' "Get Almost, Almost Anything", Kathmandu's "We're Out There", Uber's "Can't Do That If You're Driving", Tourism New Zealand's "Good Morning World", Uber Eats' "Sharon and Kim" and Kitchen Warehouse's "Mum-nipulate The Algorithm".
The duo will continue to be based in Sydney, providing hands-on creative leadership across brands, projects and new business. They join Ryan Fitzgerald, who continues as executive creative director, leading Melbourne and playing a key role in setting the creative direction of Special Australia.
"We're so thrilled to be able to promote Simon and Nils. It's recognition not only of the exceptional standard of work they've delivered and their natural leadership, but of the deep respect they've earned across the agency," said Special Australia chief creative officers and partners Tom Martin and Julian Schreiber.
"Their thoughtfulness, clarity and the way they show up for people every day sets the tone for those around them. The roar of applause at our all agency announcement of their appointment pretty much said it all."
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