Prophecy Unlimited creative chief Ian Bates steps down

Prophecy Unlimited creative director Ian Bates is understood have stepped down from his role at the agency – formed nearly two years ago – to seek “new challenges”.
A well respected figure in the DM industry, “Batesy” started his career at Colleagues Direct Marketing in 1995 as an art director, staying five years before joining Entire as a creative director. He took on the top creative role when Entire merged with Marketing Databasics to form Indicia in January 2010.
He switched to The Real Adventure in 2013 and retained the top creative role when the Unlimited Group merged the agency with sister shop EMO in May 2017.
On LinkedIn Bates said that he was taking time out “to dwell on creativity after 35 years [in the business]”.
However, he is still heavily involved in a number of industry initiatives, including the fostering of young talent in his role as a trustee of the Graham Robertson Trust creative network, as well as The Fresh Blood & Big Book Crit.
Bates is also a member of the DMA Awards committee, chair of the talent hub at the DMA Awards and has also been a judge for D&AD, BIMA and the International Echos.
Bates was unavailable for comment, while the Unlimited Group has yet to respond to Decision Marketing enquiries.