Gilbert-Smith will join from Octagon Australia where he is currently strategy director.
Justin Ricketts, managing director of Ensemble, who is currently running its Sydney office, will now oversee both offices, and Tim Hodgson, head of branded strategy, will step up to the role of general manager of the Sydney office.
Hodgson co-founded Ensemble Australia with Ricketts, and has been a key driver of the agency’s success in developing existing client portfolios and winning new business. The agency has a staff of 15 people.
"We will be announcing Hodgson's replacement shortly," Ricketts told Campaign. He added that the agency had been operating in Melbourne for some time with local clients and through sister agencies under the Mediabrands network but the new office and Gilbert-Smith's appointment would provide a stronger base of operations.
"Gilbert-Smith carries the credit for a broad range of campaigns including traditional sponsorships, branded content, brand engagement platforms and media leverage programs,” said Ricketts.
