JWT has named former DDB New York chief creative officer Matt Eastwood as worldwide chief creative officer, in a statement released yesterday, a role which has been left vacant since Craig Davis left the agency in 2009. DDB New York appeared to enjoy a new lease of life under Eastwood's guidance, with 'hits' including the “Hashtag Killer” campaign for the 'Water is Life' charity, and the “Yeah, that kind of rich” campaign for the New York Lottery. He will begin his new role at JWT this July, reporting to Gustavo Martinez, the agency's global CEO. Having joined the advertising industry as a copywriter at the Sydney branch of DDB, Eastwood has also spent four years as national creative director at DDB Australia, and has held top creative jobs at Young & Rubicam and M&C Saatchi in London, New York and Melbourne. His career has spanned various specialities and countries, and he has been a judge at several of the industry's top awards shows, such as The One Show, Cannes and the London International Advertising Awards.
Matt Eastwood is “A highly awarded creative with an international sensibility,” who is “Respected by clients and knows how to build global brands.”
Martinez says that Eastwood has everything he is looking for in a a global creative partner, and that he is “A highly awarded creative with an international sensibility,” who is “Respected by clients and knows how to build global brands.” He says that Eastwood joins the agency at a “Pivotal time” in their history; their 150th anniversary,” a year in which he feels they are recommitting to creating “Pioneering work.” He is “Thrilled to welcome” Eastwood to the agency, and looks forward to their future together, “Making new history at JWT.”
Matt Eastwood (left) and Adam Lotz (right)
It would appear that Eastwood left DDB on good terms, as DDB North America president, Mark O'Brien says that Eastwood's new role at JWT is “Reflective of the great work and talent,” that has been generated from DDB over the past several years. He says they will be announcing his successor “In the new future,” and underlines that until then, it will be “Business as usual at DDB New York.” Eastwood himself is incredibly complimentary regarding his new agency, citing JWT's “Long history of creating some of the world's most iconic campaigns.” His says joining the agency is “An incredible honour,” and that “Joining them as the company hits their 150th anniversary” is an opportunity he simply couldn't have passed up, especially considering he'll be working alongside Gustavo, someone he's “Long admired.” Indeed, he calls Gustavo's involvement; “The icing on the cake.”
At JWT, Adam Lotz will lead their social team and oversee numerous accounts for the agency, including First Direct, Nestle, Canon and HSBC
In other JWT news, JWT London has recently appointed Adam Lotz as head of engagement planning. Lots joins JWT following a stint as senior strategist at M&C Saatchi, where he acted as the agency's digital and social strategic lead for brands such as Nat west. At JWT, he will lead their social team and oversee numerous accounts for the agency, including First Direct, Nestle, Canon and HSBC. Lotz says that we feels JWT are “Packed to the brim with talented, mature and forward thinking people,” and his goal at the agency, is to “Infuse purpose-driven marketing” into everything they do, so that together, they can “Create a meaningful dialogue between brands and consumers.” As a former digital lead, he feels it's his responsibility at his new post to “Bring new technology and forms of communication” into JWT's strategic and creative mix.
Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and musician from Kidderminster in the UK.
