Digitas LBi
DigitasLBi has promoted creative strategy director Nic Howell to the role of head of creative strategy. The promotion follows the announcement that former DigitasLBi creative strategy head Ed Beard is to become chief strategy officer at CRM agency Kitcatt Nohr, part of the DigitasLBi family. In his new role, Howell will lead DigitasLBi’s diverse creative strategy team, ensuring they continue to deliver provocative, insight-driven strategies in order to help clients transform their brands for the digital age. He will report to Fern Miller, Chief Strategy & Insight Officer, International at DigitasLBi.
DigitasLBi has promoted Nic Howell to the role of head of creative strategy
Fern Miller, chief strategy & insight officer at DigitasLBi, said: “I’m delighted to see Nic stepping into this role. His relentless pursuit of truths untold, combined with his expertise in innovation and storytelling means he has a uniquely future-fit take on what strategists can do for our clients’ brands and businesses.” Howell added: “I’m very excited about leading this talented team. I’m looking forward to learning from them, as well as applying what I’ve learnt about collaboration and innovation from our work with AstraZeneca as part of the DIG partnership.”
Y&R Group
Y&R Group has announced the hire of Chris Platt as head of campaign planning. Platt will work closely with the Suncorp Group, which enters its 11th year with the agency. Phil McDonald, Group managing director of Y&R said, “Chris brings with him a vast amount of experience in channel planning and digital media. He is a creative thinker and has a proven ability to merge channel and brand planning. Every day our creative ideas are coming to life in more and more channels, having someone to work closely with our creative team on how those ideas can be even more potent will be of great value for all of our clients.”
Y&R Group has announced the hire of Chris Platt as head of campaign planning
On his appointment, Platt added, “I am truly excited at the opportunity to work with the award winning team at Y&R Brisbane. I am passionate about the role of insightful planning in helping to unearth new, more meaningful and more valuable ways to connect with people on behalf of our clients. I can’t wait to get stuck in!"
TBWA
TBWA Worldwide has announced Kyla Jacobs as global business development director. In this newly created role, Kyla will work closely with key leaders and offices across the TBWA global network to drive growth for the agency, including new business, organic growth and promoting the network's latest platforms and services such as Disruption Live. She will retain her current role as director of business development and member of the executive leadership team for TBWA\Chiat\Day New York. Kyla joins the global executive team at an important time in TBWA's history in which it has publicly pledged to achieve a more balanced representation of women in leadership roles across the network. Earlier this week, TBWA appointed Jill Nykoliation as CEO of Juniper Park\TBWA in Toronto, who will also have a seat on the global executive team.
TBWA Worldwide has announced Kyla Jacobs as global business development director
TBWA Worldwide CEO Troy Ruhanen, said: “Kyla's experience working with some of the most sought-after brands in the world's key markets will be a huge asset in accelerating our own growth. She has an impressive track record of key business wins, and she shares our enthusiasm for the enormous opportunity that TBWA's refocused Global Client Market structure represents.”
Campbell Ewald
Campbell Ewald has announced the appointment of Jo Shoesmith as ECD. Based in LA, Shoesmith will lead creative efforts for clients including Covered California, Energy Upgrade California and Kaiser Permanente, and will report directly to CCO Mark Simon. Prior to joining Campbell Ewald, Shoesmith was an SVP creative director at Leo Burnett Chicago and also held positions at Leo Burnett Melbourne and Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.
Campbell Ewald has announced the appointment of Jo Shoesmith as ECD
Simon said: “Jo’s years of award-winning work on some of the world’s most recognisable brands will be a strong asset to our growing Los Angeles team. Her breadth of experience will be instrumental in delivering creative excellence to our clients.” Shoesmith added: “I’m excited to join the team at Campbell Ewald and have the opportunity to work within a truly integrated network. With offices in New York, Detroit, Los Angeles and San Antonio, we’re able to provide our clients with access to a diversified pool of expertise, all under one agency.”
Hill + Knowlton
Hill+Knowlton Strategies London has appointed Sophie Warnes as the agency’s first data scientist. Starting immediately, Sophie will work initially on H+K’s technology portfolio of clients reporting to Charlie Morgan, managing director of technology. Warnes most recently worked at Ampp3d, the Daily Mirror’s data-driven journalism site, composing written and visual stories on topics from international affairs and politics to entertainment and celebrity news. Her hire sees the expansion of H+K’s publishing offer following the hire of Vikki Chowney as director of content + publishing strategy in January and the creation of H+K’s Publishing Board with LinkedIn, Buzzfeed, Twitter, The Pool, Channel Mum and Brandwatch in May.
Hill+Knowlton has appointed Sophie Warnes as the agency’s first data scientist
Morgan commented on the hire: “Sophie is a talented digital journalist with extensive experience using technology to collect and analyse data. Her ability to recognise trends and turn this data into stories with impact will be highly valuable to the agency and our clients.” Warnes added: “People are faced with an ever-growing volume of information and content on a daily basis. For a brand to cut through and successfully engage their target audience it is essential they produce tailored content that is rooted in data; and I look forward to working with H+K’s clients to do that.”
Aqueduct
Digital agency Aqueduct has boosted its senior management line-up with the appointment of TMW Unlimited’s chief creative officer Gareth James, who joins as creative partner. James will report to the agency’s joint CEO’s Rob Oubridge and Tim Seddon. As creative partner at Aqueduct, James will lead the agency’s creative output across its client portfolio, which includes Team GB, Manchester City FC, Grant’s Whisky and Lloyd’s of London. He has been tasked with putting creativity at the heart of the agency, ensuring it works seamlessly with technology and strategic planning. He will also sit on the board and help drive new business at the agency. His appointment follows that of Guillaume Buat-Ménard, who returned to Aqueduct as chief technical officer earlier this year after three years at TMW Unlimited where he worked as technical director and then chief technical officer. James and Buat-Ménard will work together to unite creativity, technology and strategic planning across the agency and its output.
Aqueduct has boosted its senior management line-up with the appointment of TMW Unlimited’s chief creative officer Gareth James as creative partner
Rob Oubridge, founder and joint CEO of Aqueduct said: “To be the best, you need to hire the best possible talent and I think we’ve found that in Gareth and Guillaume. Creativity and technology sit at the heart of everything we do and along with strategic planning, they make up the three key areas of our business. Gareth and Guillaume will lead the way in which these disciplines work together to deliver outstanding results for clients. They have the right mix of skill, experience and ambition to take us forward.” James adds: “I’m excited by the opportunity and challenge of putting creativity at the very heart of Aqueduct. A constant stream of new innovations and emerging technologies make this a great time to be working in our industry and we’ll be looking to harness these to give our clients the edge. Aqueduct’s desire to build truly collaborative teams and its nimble working environment are also a great draw.”
Sapient Nitro
SapientNitro strengthens its technology offering by bringing on board Sean Burke-Gaffney as director of technology at SapientNitro Asia Pacific. Burke-Gaffney has been at the forefront of technology innovation, implementing strategies for the last 15 years, and have increased market presence and profitability for Fortune 100 companies. He recently graduated from SapientNitro’s Chief Marketing Technology Officer (CMTO) University. This is an intensive year-long course modelled after professional MBA programmes. It is designed to arm senior technologists with the skills to bridge gaps between technology, marketing, and creative services.
SapientNitro Asia Pacific strengthens its technology offering by bringing on board Sean Burke-Gaffney as director of technology
Dr Christian Oversohl, chief executive officer at SapientNitro Asia Pacific said: “I am delighted to welcome Sean into the team. He has already made a significant impact on our clients in North America, and I’m confident his move to APAC will contribute to our growth across the region.” Burke-Gaffney adds: “My role is to work with our teams to align user experience, technology, and creative, to create great brand stories for clients. I’m excited to join the APAC team and be based in Singapore. It’s highly dynamic, culturally diverse, and filled with amazing talent. I am looking forward to driving an already high performing team to break boundaries where technology and story meet and exceed our clients’ expectations.”
Ogilvy Malaysia
Ogilvy Malaysia has appointed John Deschner as its chief executive officer. Deschner comes to Ogilvy from Deutsch LA in the US, where as executive director he led some of the agency’s key client relationships and helped steward award-winning digital and social solutions for those clients. Prior to that, Deschner worked at AKQA and Crispin Porter + Bogusky in various client servicing capacities. At Ogilvy, he will lead the agency's efforts in looking for more progressive communications plans.
Ogilvy Malaysia has appointed John Deschner as its chief executive officer
Kent Wertime, chief operating officer of Ogilvy Asia Pacific said: “We are thrilled to have John join to take the helm of our Ogilvy Malaysia operations. John has a proven record to consistently deliver client satisfaction and award-winning work. Plus, his strong knowledge of digital, social media, data, and other areas will be important for the future development of Ogilvy’s service offerings in Malaysia. Deschner added: “Malaysia is one of the key markets in the South-East Asia region and I am excited to be joining the Ogilvy team at this pivotal point, when the company is building some of the best advertising and integrated brand communications in the country. It is an honour to be given the opportunity to lead the Ogilvy talent and I look forward to adding my skills to create more innovative work and grow our presence in the region.”
VCCP
VCCP has announced the hiring of Andy Booth as creative director. He joins VCCP from Red Bee Media, where he oversaw all television, print, digital and social campaigns for the BBC, in his role as group creative director. During his time at Red Bee Media, the agency also picked up a host of awards including Best Creative Agency in Europe and Best Client for the BBC. Prior to this, he was at AMV BBDO working on clients including Galaxy, EDF Energy, Heinz and The Museum of Childhood, and previously produced D&AD Pencil winning work at 4creative.
VCCP has announced the hiring of Andy Booth as creative director
Andy will report into ECD Darren Bailes, who said: “As VCCP grows at home and internationally, we will continue to strengthen our creative output with people who can spot a great idea and make it happen. That's Andy, and it’s brilliant to have him here.” Booth adds: “It was a huge privilege working on the BBC, but VCCP is an agency I’ve admired for a long time. Most clients would give their right arm to work with them, and rightly so. It’s difficult to ignore an opportunity to work with the people that have been making it happen there and the clients that believe in them.”
DDB Budapest
DDB Budapest has appointed Andrew Kontra to the position of chief creative officer. In this role, Kontra will be overseeing all of the agency’s local and international client accounts. He joins DDB from Proximity BBDO Moscow, where he was Creative Director and recently took home three Lions for Post-it's 'The Banner Ad That Makes You Love Banner Ads' campaign at the 2015 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. He also holds prior experience from other agencies such as Sid Lee in Montreal, Quebec, where he was Co-Creative Director; Publicis in Toronto, Ontario and Critical Mass in Calgary, Alberta.
DDB Budapest has appointed Andrew Kontra to the position of chief creative officer
Hannes Wirnsberger, CEO of DDB Budapest, said: “DDB Budapest has always been at the forefront of creativity in Hungary. With better and fresher ideas, we support our client partners to build successful brands and businesses and to stay ahead of their competition. Andrew is a high caliber, modern creative director, routed in digital and with a track record of game changing ideas and campaigns. He is exactly what we need now to continue DDB’s successful journey.” Kontra added: “I’m very excited to be joining DDB, especially in Budapest. Hungary has a great history of talented people, wonderful thinkers and brilliant creative minds. The combination of these forces, and the opportunity to join a strong, brave agency with incredible foresight is not only a recipe for success, but also a sign of great times ahead.”
