O’Leary named sole ECD of Ogilvy NZ as partner Christensen retires to the South of France

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ChristensenBasil.jpgdamon-OLEARY-web.jpgBasil Christensen (top left) – the art director half of the O’Leary / Christensen ECD team at Ogilvy New Zealand, has decided to retire from advertising and is moving to the South of France. As a result, Damon O’Leary (top right) has been named sole ECD.

“I’ve been making ads for over 25 years and the time’s come to dosomething different. I’m looking forward to doing bugger all for 6months before I decide what to do next!” says Christensen.

 

Thecreators of one of New Zealand’s best-loved beer commercials –  Tui ‘Brucetta’ -their work has been awarded at Clio, AWARD, The One Show, Cannes, LondonInternational, they’re ‘in book’ at D&AD and have numerous bronze,silver and gold AXIS awards – plus they have twice won the Grande ORCA.

 

Afterbeing lured to Ogilvy from a 12 year stint at Saatchi’s by Roy Mearesand Jeremy Taine three years ago – the duo took up the reigns as newcreative heads after Taine’s departure late last year.

 

“InJanuary, Bas and I added three award-winning new creatives to our line-upalong with some hungry juniors and now, with Rupert Price (ex head ofplanning at Ogilvy London) heading up planning, I think we’re in greatshape – plus with Basil leaving I now have free holiday accommodationin France,” says O’Leary.