Three partners, Simon Bagnasco, Alex Speakman, and Matilda Hobba, at Bullfrog are exiting the Melbourne independent agency after less than a year in the roles, AdNews can reveal.
The three will be launching their own company, with Speakman staying on in a reduced capacity.
A Bullfrog spokesperson confirmed the moves to AdNews.
"Tilly, Simon and Alex have for a long time harboured the desire to start their own company beyond advertising and build out a brilliant idea they've been working on for years," the spokesperson said.
"We knew that when we brought them on board and have supported that passion over the last 12-months.
"They are going to pursue that now, but they leave on extremely good terms - in fact, Alex will be staying on with Bullfrog in a reduced capacity, that will give him the freedom and flexibility to make this idea a reality and continue to support our clients as he has done brilliantly over the last year.
"We genuinely wish them all the best and can't wait to see them bring their passion to life."
Effective immediately Elle Bullen will move from her current co-creative leadership position to a sole creative leadership position.
And Dalton Henshaw, CEO, will assume the responsibilities of managing director and CEO.
Bagnasco and Speakman joined the hot shop in May 2023 from Saatchi & Saatchi and Hobba joined initially as MD in February 2023 before being promoted to partner when the duo joined.
When joining the agency Bagnasco said the duo’s ambitions have outgrown what a traditional agency structure can achieve.
“Which is why the opportunity to join an entrepreneurial company like Bullfrog is so exciting,” Bagnasco said.
“As partners, we will get the chance to continue the great work we’ve done together, but also drive towards a shared ambition of innovating outside of traditional agency borders."
In September, Bullfrog expanded into Sydney and announced a launch of a UK offering to commence soon.
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