Bates creatives Batey bound?

Singapore - Batey ECD, Robert Gaxiola has signalled his intention to build a creative team around his former department at BatesAsia Singapore with Kris Ng already agreeing to follow Gaxiola from Bates and joins as senior art director.

According to Gaxiola, there are only five people left from his old team at BatesAsia Singapore creative department and with the impending departure of senior Batey creatives, Craig Rosenthal to Lowe China, and Ivan Hady Wibowo to BBDO Singapore, he made no secret that his wish list contains the remaining five at Bates.

"I'd hire that whole department if I could. Most of the creatives left during the course of the year. With Nokia taking a walk, it was a natural thing. Most of those guys signed up to do global work that has since moved to London," he said.

Prior to BatesAsia, Ng has worked with Gaxiola before at Draft FCB and she will now report directly to him.

"Like always, I hire people for their attitude and tenacity. I don't care if they have won awards yet or what agency or design firm they worked at previously. I'm always looking for that creative misfit with something to prove. That's the kind of people I want around me," he said.

At press time, BatesAsia Singapore could not immediately respond for comment.