"Toby creates a culture that inspires everyone in the team to achieve more than they ever imagined. He also has the unique ability to give his clients the confidence to buy disruptive work that creates fame and delivers impressive business results."
Marty 'O Hallorhan
Ex-Global CEO, DDB
"If scarcity drives demand, it’s good to be Toby Talbot. There’s no one like him. He’s an anomaly. He makes work people love with impossible consistency. Over and over. Year after year. Agency after agency. Of course, he’s brilliant at building teams, creating love and trust with clients, and all that other stuff. But I think the only thing you should be measured on in this industry is output. And few CCOs have the track record of Tobes".
Simon Vicars
CCO, Colenso
"You don’t need me to tell you that Toby’s an over-achiever. Or that he’s so much more than a can-do kind of person - he’s a much rarer will-do-whatever-it-takes type. You can draw that conclusion from seeing the extraordinary array of well known, well recognised and celebrated work he’s originated, overseen and contributed to.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have collaborated with Toby on projects both large and small. They are always things that start with a smart premise or meaningful human insight.
But he is not a creative leader that is satisfied with the notion of an idea alone. He wants it to sing. To radiate and attract attention. To feel every bit as important and valuable as it can possibly be. Until it demands your respect.
He pushes everyone to add their level best, in a way that is inviting and rewarding. He’s someone who loves to bring things into life with his infectious vision and enthusiasm.
And to that extent, I’d actually go so far as to say he probably warrants a mug on his desk which reads World’s Greatest Idea Dad'."
Jonathan Kneebone
Co-Founder, GlueSociety
Toby has precisely the metal required of creative leaders in these dynamic times. He understands the fragility of ideas and the need to protect them, coupled with a shrewd commercial sensibility when scrutinizing the work. He’s relentless, redoubtable and ever the raconteur.
Steve Kane
Managing Director, Droga5
“Toby is not only a great creative leader, but a great human too. I never achieved so much, nor laughed so hard, as when I worked with him.
He was a boss, a creative sparring partner, an icon and a friend. That's a lot to squeeze into one individual, but somehow TT does it.
He is responsible for some of our industry's greatest work. But not only that. He has always fostered the next generation of people creating our industry's greatest work.
He saw ambition in me. And I saw a mentor in him. And for giving me my first ECD gig, I'll always be thankful."
Hilary Badger
ECD, Leo Burnett Melbourne
"Toby Talbot played a formative role in my career. He built a generous, collaborative culture where ideas were freely shared. His advice, ‘Your job is to give ideas away,’ has shaped how I lead and work ever since.
TT also knows how to add the real 'creative magic' - the spark that lifts great work into something memorable. And I’m extremely grateful to have received that gift.
He nurtures clients into partners, trusts his team, and creates the conditions for creativity and people to flourish."
Lisa Fedyzyan
CCO, Special Group Aotearoa
“Toby Talbot stands as one of the most respected and accomplished creative leaders in Australasian advertising today. With a stellar career spanning more than 25 years across Australia and New Zealand, Toby has consistently delivered transformative work and built high-performing creative cultures at some of the region's most iconic agencies.
Toby has won Campaign Brief Agency of the Year a record ten times across three different shops, and over a ten year period was ranked #1 executive creative director in the world on bestadsontv.com.
Toby is one of the rarest of creative leaders who combines big-idea brilliance with strong organisational and transformation skills. He has a genuine passion for nurturing talent. He doesn't just make great ads, he builds great agencies and inspires people to do their best work. Any brand or agency fortunate enough to work with Toby gains not only exceptional creativity but a true partner in long-term success.
I wholeheartedly endorse Toby Talbot as an outstanding creative director and leader—someone whose impact on Australian and New Zealand advertising will be felt for years to come.”
Michael Lynch
Publisher, Campaign Brief and Bestadsontv.com
"I have had the unique privilege to represent Toby as his recruitment partner over the years. He is a gift to represent. Toby has the gravitas and maturity to lead the most conservative of clients to courageous creative outputs. He is a true partner to his leadership teams. And he is the most generous leader of others. He can not only spot great talent and attract them to his team but he protects them and makes them better under his guidance. A proper creative leader in every sense.”
Lea Walker
Mrs Walker, Marketing and Advertising Recruiter
"Toby has a contagious and unrelenting passion for great ideas. And his ability to inspire them, spot them, enjoy them, protect them and celebrate them has made many a brand, marketer and creative team famous. TT is a creative leader I would follow into fire, knowing they would of course be the finest possible flames."
Kristal Knight
Ex-ECD, Ogilvy Aotearoa
“Working with Toby Talbot was one of the great joys of my professional career. I can say without hesitation that I’ve never encountered a more powerful beacon for creative talent. The moment Toby arrived, the energy of the agency shifted. Brilliant, world‑class creatives suddenly wanted to be part of what we were building. It was all down to Toby.
Toby is exceptional at cultivating winning teams. He spots potential where others see rough edges, and he nurtures ideas—and people—into their best possible form. His eye for great work is uncanny; he can identify the seed of a transformative idea long before it’s obvious to anyone else. I also remember a number of occasions where his suggestions for the work added that last piece of x-factor that drove it into the public consciousness.
Toby builds deep, unlocking relationships with senior clients. He brings them into the process, elevates their confidence, and helps them see what’s possible. The trust that Toby builds, brings out the tiger in clients.
Spend five minutes with Toby and you’ll be laughing—often uncontrollably. You’ll never enjoy the work more than when you work alongside Toby.
Toby is a rare creative leader—visionary, generous, and deeply effective. Any organisation would be lucky to have him.”
Gavin MacMillan
Ex-MD, Ogilvy Melbourne
“I had the pleasure of working with Toby (TT) for several years as my partner in crime at Ogilvy.
I loved working with TT.
His passion for the wonderful work we do is infectious.
He is tenacious, relentless, wonderfully articulate, a hard bloody worker and above all a very talented creative leader.”
Sally Kissane
Ex-Group CEO, Ogilvy AUNZ