Ben Willee

After graduating from RMIT with an Associate Diploma of Business in Advertising, Ben began his career at Total Media (Now Starcom) as a Media Assistant working on the Myer Grace Bros account. He soon moved onto Nike and McCain Foods and was quickly promoted to Senior Media Planner Buyer.

In 1998, he left to travel around Europe and later worked at Initiative London as a Senior TV Buyer on the Tesco Account. His strategic talents were soon recognised and he became a Group Planning Manager overseeing Johnson and Johnson and Ferrero. Later, he was seconded to the prestigious European Core Insight Team which was responsible for improving insights and strategic planning throughout Initiative Europe.

In 2003, Ben returned to Melbourne with a brief to grow the fledgling Initiative Melbourne operation. In six years the business grew from $30M to $130M in billings picking up AdNews Media Agency of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

In late 2009, Ben was poached to be the co-founder and Managing Partner of Ikon Melbourne. In the first 18 months, the agency grew from zero to 20 staff and attracted billings in excess of $80M. Clients included Myer, SEEK.com, Crazy Johns, SPC/Ardmona, Bevilles Jewellers, Webjet.com and True Value Solar.

In 2012, Ben returned to his full-service roots to join Spinach as General Manager and Media Director.

In his spare time Ben enjoys sailing, keeping fit and spending time with his three young children. Ben is also an officer in Royal Australian Navy Reserve where he holds the rank of Lieutenant.