With more than two decades of industry experience between them, the duo began at Wunderman Thompson as senior creatives in 2018, progressing to associate creative directors in 2021.

They’ve produced notable campaigns for Parkinson’s NSW, Rural Fire Service NSW and Kellogg’s, and headed up pitch wins for RFS, Victorian Department of Justice, Sunbeam and Nikon. As creative leads on KitKat, Koay and Hey have helped the brand reclaim its position as Australia’s number one chocolate bar, had multiple campaigns adopted globally and had their recent ‘Have a Bite’ campaign pick up multiple trophies at both AWARD and Spikes.

Says João Braga, chief creative officer at Wunderman Thompson Australia: “Steve & Si care for the work like very few people in this industry. They get culture, they get the client’s business, and they won’t rest until they get to the smartest solution to any problem. I can’t think of better partners to help us build the most inspiring and innovative team in Australia.”

The team have also tutored AWARD school several times and worked at agencies in Sydney, Auckland, and London before teaming up at Wunderman Thompson. Their work has been recognised at major award shows including Cannes, AWARD, Spikes, One Show and The Webby’s.

Says Koay and Hey: “It’s an exciting time to be at Wunderman Thompson. The people and capabilities we have in place now can lead to making some fantastic work. We’re really looking forward to playing a role in leading the creative department under João’s vision and continuing to push the creative output for our bravest clients.”

Strong Si! Well deserved mateeee

well done Simon. so great to see and so well deserved.

Well done, Simon. Such a genuinely nice and talented person.

Big congrats, Koay. Very well deserved

So great, nice work guys!

I swear top female creative directors were all just made Redundant no? Yeah let’s promote this then..,

Go Simon! You’re a great guy and a great creative.

Congrats and well deserved lads. Solid opener to Q1 FY23.

Two legends! Nice one Steve & Si

Congrats Ste. Very well deserved.

I’m so happy and stoked to see you two finally get the recognition you deserve. Especially you lill bro! Stoked az… John

Yes Si!!! Couldn’t happen to a nicer and more talented human.

Love that for you two legends x

This is interesting (and not saying it’s not well deserving). However, interesting nonetheless that Steve and Simon have been promoted, when two senior female Creative Directors were made redundant only a few months prior under the guise that Creative Directors were no longer a priority and the roles would be “genuinely not be replaced.” Smells rat-ty to me.

Talented lads. Onwards and upwards!

It would seem if you’re the right gender you get promoted at WT while the female Creative Directors are made redundant…. 🤔

Nice one Ste. Well deserved.

Nice to see another couple of great men promoted to creative director.

Guys, Fellas, Lads, Boys… all the words used in the congrats messages are very telling.

Very telling that they identify as male, and deserve the role for all the hard work they put into getting there? Yeah.

No one has ever used ‘well done girls’ to females being promoted. I just checked.

No-one is saying they don’t deserve the promotion. A few people are just saying it’s interesting that two females of that level are made redundant in the same six months males are promoted to the same level…. Is that allowed? 🧐

Even if Steve and Simon identified as women they’d still have gotten promoted – For these two it’s the work that got them there. Congrats team, well deserved.

Huge congrats S&S. Could not have happened to a nicer more deserving team

Congrats Si, I have no doubts you’ll smash it.

It’s why I appointed you, SH. Always going to be. Congrats mate, but stop stealing my pumped-up pose. So good for the fam though… Powerhouse.

BTW, people get promoted based on their wok ethic, the work (both based on it’s quality and output), their fit within the ‘culture’, and what they deem is appropriate remuneration. It’s got nothing to do with what’s between your legs. It’s what’s inside that noggin of yours that either gets you there, or doesn’t. Congrats fella’s.

Congrats Bad Boi Si and Mr Hey. Xo

This is well deserved and long overdue. So good Murphy commented twice! Not only are you both incredibly talented, but all those long hours, weekends, awards won, care for the work and the people have finally paid off. I know there are some clients that refuse to work with anyone but you two – that says it all. On a personal level, thank you for all the support you have shown me over the years we worked and collaborated together. Great to hear and congrats x

it’s interesting that the people with things between their legs dont get the point

Congrats to you both! Hard fought and well deserved. I’m sure it won’t take much effort to rise above the sour grape comments on here.

Absolutely deserved. Congrats to both of you.

As one of the female creative directors that was made redundant from WT a few months back, I can’t think of two people (male, female or otherwise) more deserving of this promotion; Advertising is a tough gig, ups and downs, swings and roundabouts. But it’s also a fantastic gig. Let’s all support each other and give credit where credit’s due. Well done Steve and Si, Annie.

But I’d really wanted to point out the use of really offensive language in one of the comments. It’s crude, inaccurate, demeaning and not funny at all.

Can we please remove that comment? Or can the poster change the language in it please?

It’s hurtful use of language and it detracts from what this post really wants to do: to celebrate a great milestone for two people that certainly deserve it.

Linchy and/or editors: it’s the one between Jacqueline and Oh Dear.

Congrats guys. Great to see you getting the recognition you deserve.

A huge congrats! It was so lovely working with you both.

Si’s one of the best. Master craftsman, good bloke and loves a Rivet.

Well done Steve! Absolute legend and well deserved!

I’m the other female involved in the comments above. I’m not going to lie and say some of the comments above didn’t strike a chord, but that doesn’t mean both Simon and Steve don’t deserve the promotion. Congrats to both. Can assure you MG, no sour grapes.

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