Shelly Parsons returns to Australia’s Woolworths

M&C Saatchi has appointed Shelley Parsons as Executive Creative Director and Ben O’Brien Deputy ECD of Woolworths. 

On their appointment, Nick Chapman, Group Creative and Brand Director at Woolworths Group, says, “We’re thrilled to welcome Shelley and Ben to the Woolworths team. With a powerful combination of local and global experience, and agency and brand-side success, we’re incredibly excited about the impact their combined creative leadership will have on Woolworths Group.”

After 20 years overseas, Parsons comes back home to Australia. Her latest role was Global Creative Director for Levi Strauss & Co in San Francisco, where she was a part of the creative leadership team overseeing the in-store, eCommerce, digital, social and environmental aspects of the global company, and also leading collaborations with Walmart and Amazon. With over 20 years experience working with some of the world’s biggest brands across the world from San Francisco, New York to Londo; she will be leading the creative team at Greenhouse which is part of Woolworths group. 

Ben O'Brien also brings with him over 20 years of experience as a creative leader in the Australian market. After leadership roles at DDB Sydney and JWT Sydney, he ran his own agency, O’Shea & O’Brien, for six years before it was merged into Banjo Advertising over 5 years ago. He  has picked up metal at award shows around the world and has worked with a notable range of blue-chip clients, including McDonald’s, Red Bull, Volkswagen, and most recently Microsoft, including Xbox. He’s also found time to tutor AWARD School for over 10 years, including running the school for 2 years as Head Lecturer.

The two will be working closely with the long-standing CDs and teams dedicated to Woolworths, while having the opportunity to bring new talent into the team.