PADC AGM outlines new leadership with Leigh Wood + Dan Agostino named co-presidents

Perth’s creative, design, marketing and production community gathered at Lawson Flats in the city for the Perth Advertising and Design Club annual general meeting. The event saw outgoing Club Manager, Tia Brazier, and Club President, Josh Edge, take members through the events of last year and showcase the vision for 2024, including the announcement of a new leadership structure.

For the first time the Club will feature a co-presidency with The Brand Agency Head of Design, Dan Agostino, and Nani Creative Design Director, Leigh Wood, sharing the role. They will be supported by 303MullenLowe Managing Director, René Migliore, in the position of Club Patron and Laura Vulling, who has just returned to Perth after roles in Melbourne, the UK and Europe, as new Club Manager.

“After a year on the PADC committee and recently hanging up my TAFE lecturing hat, this is a great opportunity to keep advocating for diversity in our industry,” says Wood. “For me, that means making space for indie agencies, freelance talent and traditionally underrepresented groups in commercial creativity. As tight as we are as an industry now, there’s still so much potential for creative collaboration. Working alongside Dan means we can each bring our different career experiences and personal perspectives to represent our amazing creative community.”

Agostino says: “I remember attending my first PADC event over twenty years ago so, for me, it’s a real honour and pleasure to accept the role of Co-Presidency. To be working alongside Leigh in helping to shape the future of our creative industry is something I’m very much looking forward to. Josh and Tia have left some big shoes to fill! Their leadership over the past few years has been nothing but inspirational and clearly focused to ensure the club has not just evolved, but flourished.”

The two thanked the outgoing management and credits them for the buoyant status of the Club. They outlined a goal to encourage a closer creative community for its members, with a focus on the next generation of creatives, and ensuring the Club remains relevant and inclusive for all.

The evening saw outgoing Club President, Josh Edge, presented with a commemorative gold skull for his efforts and commitment during his tenure. Edge will continue to serve on the committee in a mentorship capacity.

Edge said: “There’s been a lot of discussion around the various roles and responsibilities of WA’s longest-serving club for commercial creativity. As it rolls into its 44th year, it has continued to evolve the people and roles that make it what it is. We have members from individual creatives, directors, illustrators, crew, client service, writers, strategists, digital devs and more. To have representatives and leaders from every part of WA’s creative community is so important to keep the Club being as relevant and inspiring as it should be. We’re stoked to have such awesome talent leading the way for all of us!”

Outgoing GM, Tia Brazier, will also continue to partner with the Club through the awards process stating “It’s been such an honour to represent the PADC and the commercial creative industry for the past five years and see it continue to grow from strength-to-strength. Josh and I are really confident we have selected the perfect people to take over the leadership of the PADC and can’t wait to support Dan, Leigh, René and Laura’s vision for 2024 and beyond.”

Since 1980, the PADC has been driven to deliver on its purpose to inspire, assist and acknowledge the creators of commercial communications in Western Australia. The Club is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation, fuelled by a committee that boasts some of Perth’s leading creatives, designers, producers and marketers.

If you would like to be a part of the Club, either as a committee member, a sponsor or to become a PADC member, email admin@padc.com.au.

Photo credit: Mauro Palmieri and Claudia Brazier