Draftfcb plugs draft

Johannesburg - Godfrey Morley, who left Draftfcb three years ago to head Thebe Investment's travel and tourism arm, has returned to the agency as managing director of the Cape Town office, filling the huge gap created by the resignation of Brian Stockdale.

But it's not the agency it was, thanks to some fundamental structural changes. It has merged its above- and below-the-line creative departments to form one multi-disciplinary, through-the-line studio. The studio will be headed up by current below-the-line (non-advertising) executive creative director Glynn Venter.

Industry icon Francois de Villiers will continue to oversee the creative product in his new role as creative chair.

The move is intended to enhance the Cape Town shop's status as one of the best producers of integrated work in the country.

There are also changes on the 'business' side of the agency. The client service, strategy, media and experiential teams have been grouped into what can best described as two 'mini agencies'.

"Godfrey's brand and marketing experience, too, complements the new structure and client mix," says Draftfcb group CEO John Dixon. "He spent six years at SABMiller culminating in his appointment as head of sponsorship for the brewer. He also served as marketing & communications director for McDonalds South Africa for three years; and as group marketing director at Samsung before joining Draftfcb in 2006."

Morley moved to Thebe in 2007 for a massive signing-on fee.

De Villiers says true integrated marketing communication solutions "are what clients demand and deserve. And this holistic approach has been the basis of some of Draftfcb's most famous campaigns in the past. Now, with a unified creative studio, we are making our offering even more seamless".

Stockdale, who is still working at the agency, has not disclosed his plans. Draftfcb Cape Town opened its doors for business as E Lindsay Smithers in the 1930s.