Robert Morgan will retire from Clemenger Group at the end of the month after 46 years with the holding company, 23 of those years serving as Chairman.
Morgan said in a statement: “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 over these 46 years.
“We have a strong company. And I’m confident of the future. As long as we never forget – great work, works best!”
The outgoing chairman recalled being hired by the co-founder Peter Clemenger, who he called “Australia’s greatest ever advertising agency leader”, and rising through the ranks – from account executive to managing director, CEO and Chairman.
“Sometime later, I was promoted to run Clemenger Melbourne and did so for eight years. We had great fun, success and did some fantastic work; won many new clients, Agency of the Year’s and Creative Awards. When Peter stepped down in 1998, I became CEO of the Clemenger Group and joined the BBDO Worldwide Board and had these roles until the end of 2021.”
As leader, he said Clemenger Group continued to build and diversify.
“We started businesses, including OMD, bought businesses and closed some too! But, we never forgot our core purpose – to do great work for our clients – The Work, The Work, The Work.
“The Clemenger Group grew strongly, and we had great success. Our Agencies were recognised locally and globally for our work. Clemenger and Colenso won Agency of the Decade awards. Not only in advertising, but across the marketing services spectrum, we have had best-of-class businesses being awarded as such.”
Morgan made special mention of Les Timar, Adrian Ciabotti andHylton Mackley.
“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.
Timar, CEO of Clemenger Group, celebrated Morgan’s tenure with the agency in a separate statement.
“It is very rare for someone to have spent such a large part of their career with the one company, but Robert has always been the exception to the rule. 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
Top image: Robert Morgan