Founder and creative partner Damian Pincus and managing director Julie Dormand have spoken out following their departures from The Works.
Their exits follow parent company Capgemini ANZ’s decision to integrate the creative agency into its business, as confirmed earlier this week. This move has also led to the departure of partner Douglas Nicol and reports of redundancies affecting at least half the agency.
Jerome Gaslain, who was recently promoted to The Works’ growth creation partner, will lead the remaining team.
Damian Pincus
“This week marks my last week at The Works,” said Pincus.
“After 21 years of building a business, I have loved working in, it’s now time to move on. With my amazing business partners Douglas Nicol and Kevin Macmillan, we built an envious reputation over the years from humble beginnings, founded in a campervan. The Works has given me 21 years of pure fun, there’s been ups and downs, but I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some of the best people in the business and some amazing clients.”
Pincus described The Works’ culture as the agency’s “beating heart” and thanked Dormand for preserving and building upon it.
Looking ahead, Pincus commented: “There are exciting plans for the agency as it becomes part of a global digital transformation company, Capgemini… Jerome Gaslain is one hell of a good leader.
“I’m beginning a process to see what’s next for me. It’s going to be different, much like when Kev and I started in a van, putting ‘creatives at the forefront.’
“It’s been a very rewarding ride.”
In a separate post, Dormand wrote: “I went to The Works for a few months, and stayed a few years. I stayed because of the kind and fun spirit in everyone.
“With a change in direction for the agency, I’ve chosen to put up the sails and leave port again.”
She thanked Pincus and Nicol, saying: “You have both made me howl with laughter, feel loved and valued and inspired me with your brilliant minds.”
Dormand called out notable achievements including ranking fourth in the WRK Best Place to Work awards, achieving a staff NPS of 93, management becoming Brene Brown ‘Dare to Lead’ accredited, and being the first agency to add a mindset coach for staff.
She continued: “To every single legend from The Works – thanks for having me.”
Julie Dormand
The Works was founded by Pincus and Kevin Macmillan in 2002 and was acquired by ASX-listed digital consulting business RXP in 2017 for $33 million.
In March 2021, Capgemini, a French multinational information tech services and consulting company, acquired RXP in a $95 million deal, expanding its operations in Australia and New Zealand. The deal brought Capgemini and RXP’s combined workforce to over 2,000 people in Australia.
Mediaweek has reached out to Pincus and Dormand. Capgemini had no further comment.
See also: Capgemini ANZ integrating The Works, Jerome Gaslain to lead the team as founder departs
Top image (L-R): Damian Pincus, Julie Dormand, Jerome Gaslain, Claire Stapleton