One of The Monkeys’ three co-founders, group CCO Justin Drape, is departing the company.

He made the announcement in a staff meeting earlier today, after contemplating an exit for several months.

Drape was instrumental in helping The Monkeys achieve strong growth since it opened doors in 2006, including Agency of the Year awards honours from several industry bodies.

“What has always made The Monkeys special, is the talented people who committed to shaping the agency’s culture, brand and story. The talented people who continually turn up and challenge the status quo with their creativity, intelligence and relentless belief in making provocative ideas happen. I want to thank all of them,” said Drape.

He is yet to announce what he will do next.

Keep in touch with Drape on LinkedIn.

Milk & Honey PR has won the representation for Australian semiconductor manufacturer Morse Micro.

The new deal will see Milk & Honey create a social and digital campaign to emphasize Morse Micro’s investment in quality talent and customer engagement. The move comes as Morse Micro is set to unveil a new chipset to improve IoT network capability for smart devices. 

“The company has grown at a phenomenal rate in just a few years; with several international offices and significant funding from heavyweight investors. The team’s ambition to grow and dominate, without compromising on values, makes Morse Micro a perfect fit for Milk & Honey,” said Milk & Honey managing director Caroline Addy.

Global communications agency Ogilvy has appointed Ogilvy Australia CEO David Fox to lead the new Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regional office in Dubai, UAE, effective 1 March.

The move will see Fox oversee Ogilvy operations in ten offices spread across nine countries. He has led Ogilvy Australia for over six years.

Ogilvy global CEO Andy Main is leading the in-agency search for Fox’s successor. 

“This was a difficult decision, but you cannot hang around forever and it’s time for a change at the top. It’s been an extraordinary privilege to lead Ogilvy Australia and I will be forever supportive of its success. I am incredibly excited about my next step within the Ogilvy network and more than ever remain committed to our people, our clients, and the Ogilvy brand,” said Fox of his appointment.

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment is the Australian agency of record for ready-made food vendor My Muscle Chef (MYMC).

The new deal will see M&C Saatchi appoint a special press officer for the company. 

Co-founded in 2013 by brothers Tushar and Nishant Menon, MYMC offers a wide variety of pre-made meals and drinks with high nutritional intake and fresh ingredients, as well as eating plans based on customer preferences. 

“Our experience across sport, lifestyle and entertainment perfectly positions us to support the ambitious trajectory of the brand, inspiring, encouraging and fuelling Australians to lead active healthy lives,” said M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment communications chief Krystyna Fresetto.

Duncan Fredericks has signed up with online food and drink ordering app Menulog as its new PR manager, reported Mumbrella.

He comes to the company following almost four years with OPR agency Pulse as account manager and senior account manager, plus over three years with One Green Bean. 

Clients he has handled include a leading alcoholic beverage company, a major fast food chain, a sports apparel company, and a soft drink corporation’s South Pacific arm.

“There’s a huge opportunity for growth in the industry and I’m excited to be part of a brand that is known for such creative and memorable work in the market,” said Fredericks.

Follow Fredericks on Twitter @DuncMeister.

VMLY&R Brisbane has added two new people to its leadership team.

The agency announced that Benjamin Davis is in as executive creative director. He recently finished a decade running the McCann Worldgroup’s creative offices in Melbourne and Queensland, mostly as ECD.

Neil Atkin is aboard as digital director. He brings over 20 years’ experience in operations and account management, digital experiences, and innovation, including senior positions with companies such as BBDO, Critical Mass and the BCM Group.  

“I am genuinely excited to be starting 2021 on such a high and have two talents of Ben and Neil’s calibre join the team. This is our latest step to ensure VMLY&R Brisbane continues to produce the most contemporary, world-class creative, experience and technology work for our clients,” said VMLY&R Brisbane managing director Adam Kennedy.

Sandra Brkic has started 2021 with a new account director position at Hunter Communications.

She will oversee the development of Hunter’s consumer and corporate portfolio.

Brkic recently exited a director post at Nonplus after over three years on the job. She had previously done account manager roles with, among others, PPR ANZ and Sling and Stone, plus running PR for Crown Resorts Perth.