CHARLIE GODINET RETURNS TO COLENSO BBDO AS GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Charlie Godinet has rejoined Colenso BBDO as Group Creative Director after departing Daylight, the independent studio he co-founded in 2021. With 15 years of experience across leading agencies and a globally awarded portfolio, Godinet’s return marks a significant creative leadership move for Colenso as Daylight appoints Nicole Sykes to succeed him.

Charlie Godinet has returned to Colenso BBDO in the role of Group Creative Director, following his departure from Daylight last week. The move marks a homecoming for the multidisciplinary creative, who previously spent five years at Colenso before co-founding Daylight in 2021.  

Daylight, positioned at the intersection of creativity, technology and media, grew rapidly under Godinet’s leadership, expanding to a team of 32 and building partnerships with organisations worldwide in just three years. His successor, Nicole Sykes, steps into the newly created role of Executive Creative Director, joining a majority-female leadership team alongside CEO Lee Lowndes, managing partner Lizzie Robson, general manager Kristen Morris and technology lead Phil Bingley.  

Godinet’s career spans 15 years across some of Aotearoa’s most respected creative agencies, including Saatchi & Saatchi Auckland, .99 (BBDO) and McCann Worldgroup. He describes himself as ideas-driven, craft-focused and strategically minded, qualities that have shaped award-winning campaigns such as Play by Spark, ASB Snap Scholarships, BNZ’s The Most Prosperous ATM, Mainland 2000 Piece Voucher and Anchor Protein+. His work has been recognised with multiple D&AD Pencils in Film, a Grand Prix at Spikes Asia, and accolades across Cannes Lions, One Show, AXIS, Effie, NZDM and Best Awards.  

Beyond his creative output, Godinet has contributed to the industry as a judge at major award shows, including the Cannes Lions shortlisting jury in 2026, AXIS Awards in 2023 and 2024, Best Awards in 2023 and Ad Stars in 2020. His return to Colenso BBDO signals a strengthening of the agency’s creative leadership bench, bringing back a voice deeply embedded in New Zealand’s advertising landscape.  

Reflecting on his departure, Daylight CEO Lee Lowndes paid tribute to Godinet’s influence: “Charlie shaped what this place looks and sounds like. We will miss him dearly, and we’ll be keeping an eye out to see what he cooks up next. Send it safely Charles.”  

For Colenso BBDO, the appointment represents both continuity and renewal, as Godinet reconnects with an agency where he previously helped deliver standout work. His re-entry into the fold comes at a time when creative agencies are navigating rapid shifts in technology and culture, and his blend of craft and strategic vision positions him to help steer Colenso’s next chapter.