Stuff Advertising, one of Bristol’s longest-established and independent creative communication agencies, has promoted Joe Baker to managing director.
The move is part of wider changes in directors’ responsibilities aimed at shaping the business for the future and comes ahead of a rebrand later this year. 
CEO Jonnie Galvin-Wright will now take on the role of chairman with executive responsibility for strategy while founder and creative director Richard Spruce will continue to have overall responsibility for creative output.
Client services director Tara Fletcher has joined the management team.
Founded in 2005, Stuff Advertising works with blue-chip clients such as YTL Developments UK, Miss Millies, Mars, Wollens, National Grid and Escape to St Ives.
Its work for YTL involves bringing Brabazon – its trailblazing new neighbourhood on the former Filton Airfield – to market. This has included media creative, including for 96-sheet posters, bus ‘mega backs’ and press advertising with the strapline ‘Brabazon: A place that changes everything’.
The agency is owned by Richard Spruce and Jonnie Galvin-Wright, who previously worked together at Saatchi & Saatchi agency Hall Harrison Cowley and others.
Jonnie said: “These changes much better reflect the day-to-day running of the business. 2022 will also bring a re-brand and a fresh focus on how we solve creative challenges and deliver for our clients. Joe and the team will be instrumental in driving that.
“Joe has, for some time, been leading on the operational activities for clients despite also delivering as a designer and producer so it is a natural progression to look after the business.
“He is also very much part of Stuff’s future and as such I am delighted that he has also joined the board as a company director.
“This is testament to all his hard work over the years. Clients especially have come to rely on him. I’m also really pleased that we have been able to promote from within.”
He said Tara had brought new energy and leadership to some of the agency’s key accounts in Bristol, Devon and Cornwall, where it now saw an opportunity to again grow its business further.
“With her day-to-day office in Exeter and flexible working, she is perfectly placed to deliver across our client base,” he added.
Joe, who was previously Stuff’s production and design director, said: “I’d like to thank Richard and Jonnie. It has been a fantastic five years working alongside both of them.
“I am thrilled and excited to take the next step on the Stuff journey and 2022 is set up to be another exciting year. Stuff is a great team and one that I am now proud to lead.”
Pictured: The new Stuff management team, from left: Richard Spruce, Tara Fletcher, Joe Baker and Jonnie Galvin-Wright
