End of an era as The Brand Agency founder Ken James calls time on his remarkable career
The Brand Agency chairman Ken James will officially retire from the agency he founded from July 1.
James famously started the agency along with 6 partners with an MBO of McCann Erickson’s Perth office in 1991.
Over the 24 years since then, it has become Perth’s most successful agency, establishing offices in Melbourne and Auckland as its biggest client, Bunnings, became a national hardware behemoth.
While admitting he would miss the excitement of the agency and the industry, James told Campaign Brief that at 64 years of age it was time to hand the business over to the next generation.
“At the end of the day you’ve got to move on. I restructured the company and made Steve (Harris) CEO in January last year. I knew the next step was making myself redundant and I was happy to do that.”
A two-time winner of Campaign Brief’s Ad Person of the Year (1993, 2001), James is also Perth’s most successful ad man, building The Brand Agency to a national presence then steering it through a lucrative acquisition by STW Group, which now owns 84% of the agency. The Brand is perennially one of STW’s top performing businesses.
He said he was proud of the agency’s success and to be leaving it on top.
“We built something out of nothing into what it is today. I leave it in incredibly good shape… I have no regrets – it’s been a blast.”
James has some travel planned in the near future and beyond that will be kept busy with business interests he has outside of the advertising industry.
9 Comments
Ken was a brilliant ad man from the time he entered the industry. May he enjoy his retirement with warm days and good health.
Jamesy – you’ve always called it as you saw it, and I’ve always admired you for that, and for your associated no-bullshit attitude and fervent passion. Hope this next chapter brings you great laughs and awesome reds.
Best of luck, Jamesy! No one else in this city will ever be able to get a contract signed on the back of a napkin like you could!! Luv ya – Black Prince
It’s a conspiracy! He’s obviously in cahoots with Marty Braine!
Ken. What a career! That night in Samoa. What happens on tour….Congratulations.
Ken was the most rewarding practical joke victim I ever targeted.
His mock-intolerance of subversives and his rare capacity to feign respect for those of whom he was contemptuous are just two expressions of his thespian genius and matchless disingenuity which, among many more admirable street-smart business skills, enabled him to not only reach the summit of advertising-money-making potential -in-Perth but build a permanent home there.
He taught me so many approaches I’ve tried hard not to put into practice.
But my life in advertising was made all the richer and more enjoyable by having worked with him.
The huge mark he leaves will be visible long after most of his peers’, and their impact, including my own, I suspect, are traceless.
From hard working milkman to venerated, still-busy, multi-millionaire retiree in just over four decades.
It’s a big working-life achievement.
And, on balance, far, far more laudable than Bondy’s.
…and away we go! Good luck Ralphie boy! Love Norton.
It’s about bloody time…get out and smell the roses Kenny and remember your best lunch partners are still around! Cheers and very happy for you and the family Ralph
Congrats Ken on a remarkable career. Thanks for the words of wisdom. If you ever get bored (which is highly unlikely) come and have a beer at the SHED