Dav Tabeshfar and Doni Savvides team up to take over the leadership of JWT’s new Perth office

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Doni_Dav.jpgAward-winning creative director Dav Tabeshfar (right) and Doni Savvides (left), a business director with wide experience on local and national accounts, are to lead JWT’s new Perth office.

JWT set up the Perth office in October last year after the agency won the business for RAC, one of Western Australia’s largest membership, roadside and insurance companies. The agency was rocked four months later when GM, and the lead person on RAC, Nicole Lennox-Gray left to join Marketforce. Since then JWT had been in talks to acquire small Perth agency Groves & Groves, however both parties could not come to an agreement.

“The appointment of Dav and Doni underscores JWT’s commitment to provide tier-one talent on the RAC account and expand the agency’s client portfolio in Western Australia,” said John Gutteridge, JWT Australasia CEO.

“Last year we announced that JWT would be setting up an office in Perth. Until now we have single mindedly focused our efforts on the RAC, ensuring our foundation client gets the attention it deserves from the outset. We’re very excited to be embarking upon the next phase of JWT’s future in Perth.”

Tabeshfar joins JWT from an independent Perth agency, Groves & Groves. Prior to that, he was with 303Lowe in Perth. While at 303Lowe, he co-created the Office of Road Safety’s ‘Enjoy The Ride’ campaign, which dominated the 2012 Effies, picking up two Gold medals and The Grand Effie. He also played a role in IKEA’s D&AD Pencil-winning Rent campaign, and radio campaign for ‘Rent’ went on to win the Austereo Radio Writer’s Award.

Tabeshfar’s work has won many other local, national and international awards over the years, including Clios, Effies, AWARD Awards, Spikes, AdNews TV Commercial of the Year, PADC Copywriter of the Year and a D&AD Pencil. He has also contributed to the development of the WA advertising industry, as an AFA AdSchool Lecturer, AWARD School Tutor, and in 2011, Head of AWARD School Western Australia.

“Dav is a huge talent. His work for the Office of Road Safety’s “Enjoy the Ride” campaign caught my attention last year, and it truly embodies a positive approach to a very serious issue. It’s one of those pieces I wish I’d done. I can’t wait to see him weave his magic on the RAC and future clients,” said JWT Sydney ECD Mark Harricks.

Savvides joins JWT from Gatecrasher Advertising where he led the Crown Perth and The Sunday Times accounts. Before returning to Perth he worked on Pacific Brands at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, involved in the winning pitch for the Bonds business and managing national, integrated campaigns including the Bonds Birthday Project and the re-launch of the Volley brand.

He also spent several years at BMF Sydney on accounts including CBA, the Football Federation and Schweppes, led the SOLO Lucky Undies integrated campaign and was involved in many successful business pitches.

“The new leadership team, which represents some of Perth’s top advertising talent, is charged with taking the new agency to the next level and deepening its connections with advertisers in Western Australia,” said Gutteridge.

“Dav arguably has one of the most envious portfolios in Perth right now, and Doni is the ‘real deal’ with an acute awareness for business strategies and an instinct for creative solutions. Aside from their supreme talents they also happen to be two very decent human beings with strong business ethics.”