Mike Davison returns to Colenso as head of art after four years at TBWA\NZ

AUCKLAND, Friday: Design guru Mike Davison (aka Mike D) has returned to Colenso BBDO as head of design after a four-year stint at TBWA Auckland.

With a career spanning more than three decades, Davison has won awards at every major show for his work across multiple brands including Spark NZ, Volkswagen, Tip Top & Breast Cancer NZ.

In his previous tenure at Colenso he played a pivotal role in launching te reo language app Kupu, making milk cool again for Fonterra and winning multiple Gold Pins for design at New Zealand’s Best Awards.

Agency CCO Si Vicars said: “Colenso has a proud history of turning up uninvited on global rankings next to the best creative companies in the world.

“I went out to get milk and ciggies four years ago, and just found my way home now!”

“2023 saw us top Australia and New Zealand agencies at Cannes. We ranked second in the world behind adam & eve DDB in the Classic Track rankings. And the only way we do that is by surrounding ourselves with world-class talent.

“Hiring Mike is a continuation of that tactic.

“Anyone who’s worked with Mike will tell you he’s a humble and wonderful human. But we’re much less interested in those traits. We care about his phenomenal design eye, his ability to elevate young talent, and his unwillingness to make mediocre things.”

Says Davison: “I went out to get milk and ciggies 4 years ago, and just found my way home now. Colenso’s craft and design is world-class, and I can’t wait to dig back into it with the design crew.”