3 DAY, RESIDENTIAL | CORPORATE MEMBERS ONLY | $5,500 ex GST
Three intensive days on site, this course features a series of modules spearheaded by leading CCOs, Agency CEOs and CFOs. Sessions are highly interactive, combining workshops, panels, role plays and Q&As with inspirational speakers.
AWARD Creative Leadership will be held on October 12-14, 2025 at QT Melbourne. This course is exclusive to ACA members only. If you’re employed at a member agency and interested in enrolling, please speak with your CCO or ECD first. Only nominations from member CCOs and ECDs will be considered. The price includes accommodation and all meals.
For nominations, please email steph@adcouncil.org.au
chairs and SPEAKERS
FOUNDER & CHAIR
DAILY CHAIR
SPEAKERS
To be announced
What to expect
Three intensive days on site, this course features a series of modules spearheaded by leading CCOs, Agency CEOs and CFOs. Sessions are highly interactive, combining workshops, panels, role plays and Q&As with inspirational speakers. To ensure each delegate experiences a high level of mentoring, practical experience and direct value, the group is capped.
The Creative Leadership course is proudly presented by AWARD; Australia’s longest-standing and most respected professional development program for creatives.
Who’s it for?
For senior creatives who have the ambition and the potential to lead a creative department or agency. And for Creative Directors looking to sharpen their leadership skills.
Course Content
The 2025 course content will be announced soon.
Below is an overview of the 2024 course content for reference.
DAY 1: FROM CREATING TO LEADING
- Why the hell would you want to be a CD?
- The journey to being an ECD
- What ECDs/CEOs looks for in a CD
- Rising star to raising stars
- Working with the work, working with people
DAY 2: THE HUSSLE
- The business of the business
- How to get your ideas made
- What a CMO looks for in a CD
DAY 3: EXPLORING THE CD ROLE
- How to manage media and reputation
- Building your network
- Creating your personal leadership style
- Managing a creative department
- Do you still want to be a CD?
Previous chairs and co-chairs
2024 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CURATOR: Warren Brown, Maninspace Gallery. BMF Founder, Agency of the Decade. AWARD Hall of Fame. AdNews Hall of Fame.
CHAIR: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder, The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song
DAY 1: Damon Stapleton, Chief Creative Officer and Founder, The Monkeys Aotearoa. Managing Director, Accenture Song
DAY 2: Tara McKenty, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Executive Creative Director, BMF Australia
DAY 3: Emma Robbins, National Executive Creative Director, M&C Saatchi Australia
2023 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CURATOR: Warren Brown, Maninspace Gallery. BMF Founder, Agency of the Decade. AWARD Hall of Fame. AdNews Hall of Fame.
CHAIR: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder, Group Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys; Accenture Song ANZ
DAY 1: Paul Reardon, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\Melbourne & TBWA\Adelaide
DAY 2: Alex Derwin, Chief Creative Officer, BMF Australia
DAY 3: Emma Robbins, National Executive Creative Director, M&C Saatchi Australia
2022 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CURATOR: Warren Brown, Partner, Gutthink & Partners
CHAIR: Scott Nowell, co-Founder & Group Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
DAY 1: Mike Spirkovski, National Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi Australia
DAY 2: Alex Derwin, Chief Creative Officer, BMF Australia
DAY 3: Tara Ford, Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys Sydney
2019 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CHAIR: Warren Brown, Partner, Gutthink & Partners
DAY 1: Mike Spirkovski, Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi
DAY 2: Tara Ford, Executive Creative Director, DDB Sydney
DAY 3: Scott Nowell, co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
2019 SPECIAL GUEST
Leo Premutico, co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Johannes Leonardo
2018 DAILY CO-CHAIRS
DAY 1: Tara Ford, Executive Creative Director, DDB Sydney
DAY 2: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
DAY 3: Paul Reardon, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA Melbourne
2018 GUEST SPEAKER
Susan Hoffman, Co-Chief Creative Officer, W+K
2017 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CHAIR: Warren Brown, Partner, Gutthink & Partners
DAY 1: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
DAY 2: Paul Reardon, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA Melbourne
DAY 3: Jason Williams, Chief Creative Director, Leo Burnett Australia
2016 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CHAIR: Warren Brown, Partner, Gutthink & Partners
DAY 1: Simon Langley, Executive Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson
DAY 2: Nancy Hartley, Creative Partner, Rumble Creative & Media
DAY 3: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
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Participant Feedback
I knew it would be good but it blew my expectations. I would say its been the most useful training experience of my career.
2024 Delegate
I loved the seemingly unfettered access to the brains of brilliant people. Meeting industry contemporaries. Being given a no bs look at the reality of being a CD…
2024 Delegate
The course was the most valuable training program I have ever participated in my career.
2024 Delegate