Gaxiola on leave, Batey makes promotions

Singapore - Batey ECD Robert Gaxiola will be taking a leave of absence from the agency for about three months but will continue to consult on the agency's accounts such as Qatar Airways and Audi.

Effective immediately, associate creative director Andrew Hook will promoted to CD and senior copywriter Jury Gregorio will be promoted to ACD, and the two will lead the agency's creative team in his absence.

According to Gaxiola, the agency had been planning to promote Hook and Gregorio since December last year and the promotions are not linked to his move. Additionally, the agency is looking to add more junior creatives to cope with the workload.

"They've been doing the job already," he told Marketing. "They have stuck with the agency probably during its darkest months and this promotion reflects their contributions."

In a note to staff today, Batey CEO Alan Fairnington said, “Andrew has continued to grow as a strong conceptualiser and respected creative leader, and has the ability and commitment to play a key role in Batey's future. Jury has proven his skills as both a creator of outstanding work, and as a mature manager who can orchestrate the flow of creative work through the agency.

According to Fairnington, Gaxiola will head to the US over Chinese New Year for family matters and will work from there for the time being. He joined Batey in October 2007 from BatesAsia.