Simone Gupta departs Supermassive after three years

Simone Gupta has left Supermassive, the independent advertising agency she co-founded three years ago with Jon Austin and Laura Aldington, the trio confirmed in a joint statement to Mediaweek.

"After three fantastic years helping us build Supermassive, Sim has made the decision to depart the agency and head into a new chapter," Austin and Aldington said.

"We're so grateful to her for the incredible rollercoaster we've all shared. Whilst we've got some exciting plans for the future of the business which we'll share soon, we want to make today a moment to focus on thanking Sim for everything, sending her Supermassive hugs, and wishing her every success in her next adventure."

Gupta said the call to leave was hers.

"It's been three successful years at Supermassive, but I've decided it's time to focus on my next chapter," Gupta said. "I'm proud of what we've built and achieved, and super grateful to the amazing team, our wonderful clients, our partners, and collaborators, and to Laura and Jon. Thanks for the trust, hard work, and support along the way."

Building Supermassive

Gupta, Austin and Aldington launched Supermassive three years ago. 

At the time, Gupta described it on LinkedIn as an indie shop built to deliver "robust brand strategy paired with non-traditional advertising and earned ideas that entertain not interrupt."

In the same post, Gupta said the venture came after stints working for other agency founders, running her own business, and leading agencies across three networks. "I've always wanted to launch my own agency, but the timing wasn't right. Until now," she wrote, crediting husband Theo Gupta with backing the move.

What Supermassive says is next

Supermassive also marked the exit on its own LinkedIn page, thanking Gupta for her part in the business since it "opened its hot pink doors" three years ago.

"There's so much to be proud of, and we're incredibly grateful for everything Simmo has contributed to helping build Supermassive into what it is today," the company wrote. 

"Meanwhile, Supermassive kicks off its next chapter with some brilliant work on the way, a few exciting things brewing and, as always, enormous gratitude to our incredible clients and team who continue to back us."

Neither the LinkedIn post nor the statement to Mediaweek spelled out what that next chapter looks like, or where Gupta is headed. 

Both remain unconfirmed for now.