The Monkeys Melbourne’s Ant Keogh, Paul McMillan and Michael Derepas depart to form new agency

The Monkeys Melbourne CCO Ant Keogh (above left), CEO Paul McMillan (far right) and CSO Michael Derepas (centre) have announced their departure after seven years with plans to launch their own agency early in the new year.

Keogh, recognised as one of the most awarded creative talents in Australia, joined The Monkeys Melbourne seven years ago, following an award winning 10-year stint at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne. Keogh reunited with McMillan and Derepas who had joined The Monkeys Melbourne from Clemenger BBDO only a few months prior.

During Keogh’s time at Clemenger BBDO, he guided Cannes Gold winning campaigns including TAC ‘Meet Graham’, Snickers ‘Hungerithm’ and Bonds ‘Boys‘, won Campaign Brief Agency of the Year a record seven times and was named Cannes Lions Agency of The Year and D&AD Agency of the Year in 2017.

First turning heads as a copywriter, his most famous work is the Carlton Draught ‘Made from Beer’ campaign featuring the ‘Big Ad’ commercial. Voted as the ‘Number One Beer Ad of the Last 15 Years’ by The One Show in 2011, it’s also included in the Sydney Powerhouse Museum’s archives under the ‘Top Ten Greatest Australian Ads’.

During Keogh’s time at The Monkeys, the agency won CB Australian Agency of the Year twice, in 2021 and 2023. Much of his work over the last 20 years can be viewed on his Bestads page.