The Works set to be integrated into Capgemini AUNZ; Jerome Gaslain to oversee the team as partners Damian Pincus, Douglas Nicol and managing director Julie Dormand depart

The Works, with offices in Sydney and Auckland, is in the process of being integrated into Capgemini AUNZ, which acquired the agency as part of the acquisition of ASX-listed RXP Services in March 2021. Campaign Brief has confirmed that founding partner Damian Pincus, partner Douglas Nicol and managing director Julie Dormand have all left the agency.

The Works, founded by Damian Pincus and Kevin Macmillan in 2002, was bought by digital consulting business RXP in 2017.

In a statement to CB, a Capgemini AUNZ spokesperson said: “As we are in the process of integrating The Works into Capgemini AUNZ, we are preparing our organization to ensure we meet the evolving needs of our clients and the market.

“Jerome Gaslain will oversee the team as they continue to focus on delivering great outcomes to our clients.”

Gaslain (above second from right) joined The Works in April as Growth Creation Partner.

What this means for staff at The Works on both sides of the Tasman is unclear at this stage. More no doubt on this soon.

Pictured above in April L-R: Damian Pincus, Julie Dormand, Jerome Gaslain and creative director Claire Stapleton

UPDATE: Pincus (above right with Nichol) has posted this comment on LinkedIn:

“This week marks my last week at The Works. 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.

“At the beating heart of the agency has been the culture, which has been consistently recognised as a top 5 ‘Best Place to Work’ and I couldn’t be prouder of our win last week for Best Culture at Mumbrella Awards. I can thank Julie Dormand for really holding tightly to this culture and continuing to improve what we have done year on year.

“As a working creative in the business, I am proud of the work we have made, some high performing and awarded work for brands Canadian Club, Jim Beam, Subaru, Black Hawk pet food, Sea Shepherd, Aware Super, CSR Sugar, TAFENSW, Goodman Fielder and Archie Rose Distillery to name a few.

“By far the most rewarding part of building an agency has been the people and clients I have worked with, I have loved getting to know so many people and being a small part of their professional lives. I have made lifelong friends.

“There are exciting plans for the agency moving forward as it takes advantage of being part of a global digital transformation company Capgemini. There are so many opportunities for the team to work on exciting collaborations on some of the groups amazing clients. 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’.

“But for now, some time to think. Enjoy life with space to think.

“A massive thanks to all the people I have loved working with, and to my amazing wife Alex and my inspiring kids Aidan, Laila, Jude and my family for supporting me every step of the way.

“It’s been a very rewarding ride.”

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Nichol (above left with Pincus) posted this comment on LinkedIn this morning:

“After 18 wonderful years, I have made the decision to leave The Works.

“After selling the business to Capgemini in 2017 we have been bringing the various Capgemini skills closer and closer together to offer clients a wider range of services. This feels like the right time to hand over to the next generation of awesome young leaders in our business.

“From our humble indie beginnings in Milsons Point we have grown into a creative business that is based on culture and we currently rank #4 in the Best Places to Work in Australia Awards (and last week won the 2024 Culture Award at The Mumbrella Awards)

“I have been privileged to work with (and learn from) so many talented people who have been part of the team over these years. Thank you also to the fantastic clients who have put their trust in us.

“I particularly want to thank Kevin Macmillan and Damian Pincus for opening the opportunity to be an equal partner in the business in the early days and then being a source of inspiration and raucous laughs, through the good times and not so good times.

“More recently I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the incredible leadership of our MD Julie Dormand, for a long time a competitor but now a brilliant collaborator and friend. Thanks to the excellent Capgemini team who genuinely strive to get the best outcomes for clients.

“After a period consulting back to The Works two days a week, my plan is to divide my time equally into: 1/3 of my time doing paid consulting work, 1/3 offering my skills pro bono to help organizations that I care about and 1/3 simply having a good time. 😊

“It’s been an absolute pleasure.”