CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
October 12-14 2025 | QT Melbourne | $5,500 ex GST
Presented by AWARD, this three-day residential is the only program in Australia tailored exclusively for senior creatives ready to step into leadership. Held on-site and fully immersive, it is open to ACA corporate members only.
The course is led by top ECDs, agency CEOs and CFOs and blends high-impact modules with practical, hands-on learning. Sessions are interactive and varied — from workshops and panels to role plays and candid Q&As — covering everything from leadership and commercial acumen to navigating the CD role.
Sessions are designed to arm participants with the confidence, mindset and real-world tools needed to lead effectively and drive world-class work.
SCHEDULE
The 2025 course content will be announced soon.
Below is an overview of the 2024 course content for reference.
Day 1: From creating to leading
- Why the hell would you want to be a CD?
- The journey to being an ECD
- What ECDs/CEOs looks for in a CD
- Rising star to raising stars
- Working with the work, working with people
Day 2: The hussle
- The business of the business
- How to get your ideas made
- What a CMO looks for in a CD
Day 3: Exploring the CD role
- How to manage media and reputation
- Building your network
- Creating your personal leadership style
- Managing a creative department
- Do you still want to be a CD?
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
For senior creatives who have the ambition and the potential to lead a creative department or agency. And for Creative Directors looking to sharpen their leadership skills.
2025 CHAIRS
| FOUNDER | CHAIR |
 Warren Brown,Maninspace Gallery. AWARD HOF. AdNews HOF. BMF Founder Agency of the Decade. |
 Scott Nowell,Co-Founder, The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song. |
| DAY 1 | DAY 2 |
 Damon Stapleton,Chief Creative Officer, Droga5 ANZ. |
 Tara McKenty,Executive Creative Director, AKQA. |
| DAY 3 | |
 Emma Robbins,National Executive Creative Director, M&C Saatchi Australia. |
2025 SPEAKERS
To be announced.
PREVIOUS CHAIRS AND CO-CHAIRS
2024 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CURATOR: Warren Brown, Maninspace Gallery. BMF Founder, Agency of the Decade. AWARD Hall of Fame. AdNews Hall of Fame.
CHAIR: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder, The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song
DAY 1: Damon Stapleton, Chief Creative Officer and Founder, The Monkeys Aotearoa. Managing Director, Accenture Song
DAY 2: Tara McKenty, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Executive Creative Director, BMF Australia
DAY 3: Emma Robbins, National Executive Creative Director, M&C Saatchi Australia
2023 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CURATOR: Warren Brown, Maninspace Gallery. BMF Founder, Agency of the Decade. AWARD Hall of Fame. AdNews Hall of Fame.
CHAIR: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder, Group Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys; Accenture Song ANZ
DAY 1: Paul Reardon, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\Melbourne & TBWA\Adelaide
DAY 2: Alex Derwin, Chief Creative Officer, BMF Australia
DAY 3: Emma Robbins, National Executive Creative Director, M&C Saatchi Australia
2022 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CURATOR: Warren Brown, Partner, Gutthink & Partners
CHAIR: Scott Nowell, co-Founder & Group Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
DAY 1: Mike Spirkovski, National Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi Australia
DAY 2: Alex Derwin, Chief Creative Officer, BMF Australia
DAY 3: Tara Ford, Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys Sydney
2019 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CHAIR: Warren Brown, Partner, Gutthink & Partners
DAY 1: Mike Spirkovski, Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi
DAY 2: Tara Ford, Executive Creative Director, DDB Sydney
DAY 3: Scott Nowell, co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
2019 SPECIAL GUEST
Leo Premutico, co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Johannes Leonardo
2018 DAILY CO-CHAIRS
DAY 1: Tara Ford, Executive Creative Director, DDB Sydney
DAY 2: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
DAY 3: Paul Reardon, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA Melbourne
2018 GUEST SPEAKER
Susan Hoffman, Co-Chief Creative Officer, W+K
2017 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CHAIR: Warren Brown, Partner, Gutthink & Partners
DAY 1: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
DAY 2: Paul Reardon, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA Melbourne
DAY 3: Jason Williams, Chief Creative Director, Leo Burnett Australia
2016 CHAIR & CO-CHAIRS
CHAIR: Warren Brown, Partner, Gutthink & Partners
DAY 1: Simon Langley, Executive Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson
DAY 2: Nancy Hartley, Creative Partner, Rumble Creative & Media
DAY 3: Scott Nowell, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys
DELEGATE FEEDBACK
"I knew it would be good but it blew my expectations. I would say its been the most useful training experience of my career."
2024 Delegate
"I loved the seemingly unfettering access to the brains of brilliant people. Meeting industry contemporaries. Being given a no bs look at the reality of being a CD..."
2024 Delegate
"The course was the most valuable training program I have ever participated in my career."
2024 Delegate
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