Paul Little announced late yesterday he has decided to leave the agency formerly called TBWA\Vancouver ahead of its anticipated restructuring.
“It’s been a really great four-year run,” the agency’s creative director told Marketing. “I’m sad, but also glad of the work we accomplished. It’s time to move on to the next stage of my career.”
Little has won big at the Lotus, Cannes and One Show award shows, and has overseen work for the Vancouver International Film Festival, White Spot and YMCA.
His last day will be April 15. He said he has no immediate plans, but after a break to spend time with his family, he wants to remain in the agency world and would consider a move to Toronto.
“There are only so many opportunities in Vancouver,” Little said. “My wife and I are both from Toronto. Vancouver is a tough, shrinking market.”
“Paul has done an outstanding job as creative director, building a great body of work,” said Andrea Southcott, agency president. “We understand that he’s looking for an opportunity that will push him to the next level. He has our full support in that. He’s been a great member of the team.”
Little’s departure adds to the uncertainty that surrounds the Vancouver shop. In February it filed for creditor protection but stayed open for business (minus its media division). It has since dropped the TBWA name (the agency was not officially part of the TBWA network) and is now operating as Trees and Rocks.
However, that name may be temporary. Southcott said her agency is in negotiations to merge with an unnamed Vancouver digital shop to create a new business. The final name has yet to be determined.
“We’ve entered into an agreement with them, which is conditional on approval,” Southcott said. “We’re looking at taking the best of their talents and our talents and co-creating an agency out of that. In talking with digital firms, they’re looking for the abilities we have – strategy, branding, design and creative… It’s going to position us well for where the business is going.”
Meanwhile, TBWA\Vancouver’s executives are set to meet with creditors next week to discuss its repayment proposal. Southcott said she wanted to “respect the process” and would not comment until its completion.
Southcott is also in talks with a possible replacement for Little and said she could be announcing the shop’s new CD as early as next week.
