Auckland, New Zealand – Advertising agency Howatson+Company’s Chief Creative Officer Levi Slavin has announced through a LinkedIn post that he will be departing the agency and will be joining family start-up The Ironclad Pan Company.
Slavin will be joining Ironclad as its chief creative officer based in Auckland, New Zealand. He will be bringing with him more than 20 years of experience in the creative industry.
“While the job was incredible, and our success inarguable, living away from family became too hard. So, starting this year, I’m going to be joining our family start-up Ironclad Co. full time,” the post read.
In an interview with MARKETECH APAC, Slavin shared that his new role will encompass building digital platforms, making documentaries, creating movements, and building powerful communities, amongst others.
“At Ironclad Co. we make products that are designed to be handed-down — rather than the ending up in landfill. We started with a 100% recycled iron skillet that had a three generation guarantee engraved in the base. The response was remarkable. I think people are genuinely exhausted with brands that use the environmental or ethics as sales tool rather than a brand fundamental. I’d like to continue to see how far we can take that,” he added.
On moving on from Howatson+Company to Ironclad, Slavin commented that he was equally “terrified and excited.” He added, “I am finally able to take an idea from inception to market with no interference. That’s a big responsibility. There no excuses—like budget, or time, or odd feedback, or nervous stakeholders. It’s just us.”
Moreover, he shared Ironclad’s plans moving forward, including designing a restaurant, creating a remote cooking school for kids, and building a platform that stores secret family recipes for the coming generations.
Prior to the move, Slavin was also CCO of ad agency Colenso BBDO and global creative director at Anomaly.
Slavin joined Howatson+Company in January of last year and was based in Australia.
