Veteran creative Terry Balagia is leaving his post at Saatchi & Saatchi in Toronto to assume head creative duties at D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles' Los Angeles office.
Balagia, who headed Saatchi's creative operations throughout Canada for the past year as executive vice president/executive creative director, will join DMB&B here Feb. 1. He replaces executive creative director John Armistead, who left the shop last week to pursue other interests.
"The DMB&B network really operates as a network," said Balagia, who will report to Diane Krouse, DMB&B Los Angeles' executive vice president, managing director. "[The various offices] share the same vision that comes all the way from the top. They have an incredible group there. I'm thrilled."
"Terry is a great fit for our clients and our people," said Krouse.
Before working for Saatchi in Canada on such accounts as Toyota Canada, Procter & Gamble and Hewlett-Packard, Balagia spent nine years at Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles in Torrance, Calif. He was best known for his successful work on Toyota with fellow creative director Miles Turpin.