After 46 incredible years Rob Morgan set to retire as chairman of Clemenger Group

Robert Morgan has today announced his upcoming retirement as chairman of Clemenger Group, marking the end of his 46-year tenure with the company on 30 June 2025.

Morgan announced his retirement to staff today:

Last week I retired as Chairman of Creative Australia (Australia’s peak arts funding body). This week I am announcing my retirement as Chairman of the Clemenger Group on 30th June 2025.

I started with Clemenger 46 years ago – well before most of you were born! I was incredibly fortunate to be hired by the legendary co-founder – Peter Clemenger, in my view Australia’s greatest ever advertising agency leader. He had already built an agency that was revered throughout the industry.

Sometime later, I was promoted to run Clemenger Melbourne and did so for 8 years. We had great fun, success and did some fantastic work; won many new clients, Agency of the Year’s and Creative Awards.

When Peter stepped down in 1998, I became CEO of the Clemenger Group and joined the BBDO Worldwide Board and had these roles until the end of 2021.

During that time, we continued to build and diversify the Company. We started businesses, including OMD, bought businesses and closed some too! But, we never forgot our core purpose – to do great work for our clients – The Work, The Work, The Work.

The Clemenger Group grew strongly, and we had great success.

Our Agencies were recognised locally and globally for our work. Clemenger and Colenso won Agency of the Decade awards. Not only in advertising, but across the marketing services spectrum, we have had best-of-class businesses being awarded as such.

We have had success because we were able to attract and keep the best talent. There is no doubt we have had the best talent.

I have loved the business and have been incredibly lucky to have had the career I’ve had. But the best thing has been the remarkable talented and wonderful people I’ve worked with over these 46 years.

We have a strong company. And I’m confident of the future. As long as we never forget – great work, works best!

I’d like to pay a special tribute to 3 people. Les Timar, a wonderful leader and friend for the last 27 years, Adrian Ciabotti, the best financial leader we’ve had along with the legendary Hylton Mackley and last but definitely not least, Meagan Smith who has worked with me (and really run the Company) for the last 25 years.

In the words of the renowned US broadcaster of the 1940’s Edward R. Murrow – Good Night; and Good Luck!

Cheers,
Robert

Says Les Timar, CEO of Clemenger Group: “Robert Morgan has been part of the Clemenger Group family for more than 45 years, from his early days as an account executive at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, rising to become managing director of the agency before serving as CEO and Chairman of our holding company for 23 years.

“It is very rare for someone to have spent such a large part of their career with the one company, but Robert has always been the exception to the rule. He is a courageous, respected leader who has championed creativity and has been instrumental in growing Clemenger Group to the successful network of advertising, marketing and consulting companies it has become today.

“Robert has also been a fantastic mentor – always generous with his time and wisdom – and a tireless advocate of our company’s longstanding values, none more so than “Think We, Not Me”.

“Thank you, Robert on behalf of all of us at Clemenger Group. Your contribution to our company and our country’s marketing and communications industry has been nothing short of remarkable.”