Highly awarded independent creative agency Supermassive has appointed Josh Taylor-Dadds to the newly created role of executive strategy director.
Taylor-Dadds joins Supermassive from TBWA Sydney, where he was head of strategy. Prior to that, he held the role of group strategy director at Special New Zealand.
Strengthening strategy and effectiveness
Across his career, Taylor-Dadds has led strategy for regional and global clients including Entain Group ANZ, Optus and Tourism New Zealand.
During his time at Special NZ, he contributed to the agency’s effectiveness credentials, including recognition as Effectiveness Agency of the Year at the NZ and APAC Effie Awards, as well as Campaign Global Creative Agency of the Year.
In his new role, Taylor-Dadds will focus on sharpening Supermassive’s strategic offering and strengthening its approach to effectiveness.
The agency said his impact is already being felt across briefs ranging from global brand platform development to branded entertainment.
Laura Aldington, co-founder at Supermassive, said the agency set an intentionally high bar for the appointment.
“In classic Supermassive style, we set ourselves an absurdly ambitious bar to clear for this role. A seasoned strategic leader with a pedigree in brand planning, a history of highly effective, non-traditional work that made us insanely jealous, and an endless curiosity for new ways brands can thrive in the attention era. And they had to win over our famously hard-to-impress office dog. Josh uniquely fitted that bill, and we’re already feeling the impact of his considerable talent.”
‘A new model of agency’
Taylor-Dadds said Supermassive’s approach to earned thinking and brand strategy was a key drawcard.
“We all know the context brands are living in is changing at breakneck pace, but surprisingly few are really doing much about it. Supermassive have ripped up the rule book, bringing earned thinking, creative ambition and brand strategy together to build a new model of agency fit for the future.
“In just two short years they’ve built an enviable track record: changing laws, building a radio station for juvenile detention, and launching a global tourism movement recognised by the UN. Laura, Sim and Jon’s restlessness to build something better is infectious, and I’m so excited to be part of it. Plus the logo’s sexy.”
Top Image: Josh Taylor-Dadds