The creative director of branding and design agency Blue Marlin in Sydney, Ian Catling, has been appointed managing director of the Australian operation following the departure of previous MD, Marshall Ward, to head up the agency's London office.
Ward takes over the London operation with 18 years' experience in marketing, branding, design and advertising, most recently rising to become managing director at the Sydney office, during which he guided the Australian studio's creative and commercial strategy while also playing an integral role in setting up the agency’s Singapore studio.
During his career he has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, such as Coca-Cola, Kleenex and Nescafé. Prior to Blue Marlin, he held the role of client service director at Cowan Design Sydney.
I’m thrilled to be joining our fantastically talented team in our London studio,” Ward said.
“I’m looking forward to continuing our mission to deliver brilliant integrated solutions that drive extraordinary value to our clients, and ensuring we have the most enviable culture to foster great talent and brilliant work.”
In London, Ward will replace Phil Langford, who re-joins Blue Marlin’s global team as group executive strategy director, a role that supports all the networks, key clients and new business efforts.
“Marshall’s work in Sydney was so impressive that our decision to bring him more than 10,000 miles wasn’t a difficult one,” Blue Marlin co-founder and CEO, Andrew Eyles, said.
“He provides valuable leadership qualities and business development skills as well as plenty of appreciation of Blue Marlin’s culture.”
With Catling now taking the top Sydney job, the company's Polly Williams will step up to replace him in leading the creative team.
Both will be working closely with another new Blue Marlin appointee, Tim Arrowsmith, who is taking up the role of creative director of the agency's Singapore office.
The appointment marks a return for Arrowsmith, having held the position of creative director Asia at the agency’s former Bangkok studio five years previously.
During his last tenure at Blue Marlin, Arrowsmith built a multi-cultural team of talented local and international designers and led the creative direction on projects for major clients such as Tesco Lotus, GSK, Nestlé, Mead Johnson, S&P, Berli Jucker, Asia Pacific Breweries, PZ Cussons and Standard Chartered Bank.
Originally from Melbourne, Arrowsmith has 20 years of industry experience in the Asia Pacific region where he held a similar role at Interbrand Australia collaborating with its offices in Shanghai and Singapore.
Joining Ward in London will be Ian Kelly, coming aboard as client service director. Kelly boasts 20 years in the design industry, including a recent seven-year stint as business development director at Holmes & Marchant in the UK. He has experience working with several well-established brands such as Nike, Guinness, Absolut and Burger King.
Blue Marlin has had a presence in Asia for over 10 years and continued its growth there with the opening of its Singapore studio last year.
From Left: Australians Ian Catling, Marshall Ward and Tim Arrowsmith. Taking up new global roles at design agency Blue Marlin.
