Lee Parkinson returns to Plato Creative

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday: Lee Parkinson has returned to independent central city agency Plato Creative as strategy director, bringing 20 years of international advertising experience with him.

He’s previously held senior roles at Clemenger BBDO, Publicis Group, and WPP-owned network agencies, and has worked across virtually all business sectors.

Managing partner John Plato said: “Lee is held in high esteem locally and as such has also recently been appointed Professor of Practice at the University of Canterbury Business School, Executive Education, specialising in strategy and futures thinking.

“Prior to returning to Plato Creative, Lee spent four years at Strategy Christchurch where he was set the strategic direction for some of South Island’s biggest businesses and most iconic brands.”

At Plato, he’ll team up again with John Plato and partner Nick Harvey, and the Plato executive leadership team, with the aim of driving better commercial value for clients by providing more insights and strategic thinking that will inspire even better creative work.

John Plato: “Lee is a great fit for Plato Creative. He is one of the good guys, extremely passionate, a good mentor, and an acknowledged progressive strategic thinker.

“People have asked what it’s like going back to Plato, and I tell them that I haven’t – I’ve chosen to move forward.”

“By having Lee re-join us at this stage of our development demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ‘client-first solutions that use our strategic, creative, digital, and media offerings to their full advantage.

“We are committed to supporting our current and future clients to evolve their business strategies to ensure deeper connectivity with their customers, society and embrace the changes that will let them to be more responsive and adaptive. Lee will add immense value in this pursuit.”

Lee Parkinson said: “People have asked what it’s like going back to Plato, and I tell them that I haven’t – I’ve chosen to move forward.

“Plato is a much bigger agency than when I last worked here [about 40 people], with even bigger opportunities than before.

“What’s still the same as I remember it? Well, that’s easy – great people and a positive culture, and from what I’ve already seen, some terrific clients with great ambition.

“Plato has a real fire in its belly and is intent on delivering the best outcomes for clients, today and in the future.

“It’s terrific to once again work with John, Lisa, and other members of the Plato team, and it is an added bonus to team up with my old mate Nick Harvey once more. I can’t wait to work with this team to do great things for our clients.”

• platocreative.co.nz