Ant Melder and Chiquita King have joined forces to launch a new full service independent creative agency Coffee Cocoa Gunpowder.
The agency is taking a "people are everything" approach to its work with the promise to donate 5% of its profits to sponsor individuals with potential whose progress is limited through circumstances, injustice or lack of basic resources.
The pair, who worked closely together at both M&C Saatchi and DDB, wanted to launch an independent agency that focused on creativity while also giving back to the community.
"Ant and I have learned a few things on our pathway here," King says.
"Some things so valuable I want them etched on our walls so we never forget. And I hope we learn even more in the years to come. But more importantly, we want our values to be self-evident – in our actions, the work we do, the way we do business and the way we give back. We have nothing to lose and everything to prove."
King started out in advertising in her native South Africa at The Jupiter Drawing Room before moving to Australia in 2009 when she joined Lavender.
She then went on to head up the Optus account at M&C Saatchi, followed by the Westpac account at DDB where she led highly-awarded brand campaigns.
Melder has held creative leadership roles at agencies in London and Sydney, including Saatchi & Saatchi, Iris, M&C Saatchi, DDB Sydney and most recently Host/Havas.
He is a member of the AWARD Committee and a director of the PatientSafe Network. He also recently launched the Brown Riot podcast series, celebrating industry leaders from diverse backgrounds.
"We looked around globally and saw awesome independent agencies like Joan in NYC and Uncommon Studios in London working in new ways and making a real impact – we’re aiming to do the same here," Melder says.
The agency opens its doors with a foundation client which remains undisclosed for the immediate short term.
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