TBWA Worldwide today announced the appointment of renowned creative director Chris Garbutt as its new Global Creative President. No stranger to the TBWA network, Garbutt started his career at TBWAHuntLascaris in South Africa before moving to TBWAParis to become its Executive Creative Director, where he produced some of the agency’s most celebrated work for Nissan, Absolut, PlayStation, Canderel and Pedigree.
Garbutt’s appointment continues the network’s push for senior creative talent. TBWA has in recent months hired Nils Andersson to oversee creative in Greater China and
Gary McCreadie and Wesley Hawes in Sydney, while also elevating Stephen Butler to the role of Chief Creative Officer in Los Angeles in 2014.
Commenting on the appointment, TBWA Worldwide CEO Troy Ruhanen said:”Our client partners want and deserve the very best minds on their business, and our
people throughout the network want to be inspired everyday by creative leaders who are keen on making the unreal real. Chris is one such leader, and not having him wasn’t an option in my book – he is one of ours. The richness and volume of his work speaks for itself, and his leadership and thinking will ensure TBWA remains The Disruption Company.”
As Global Creative President, Garbutt will oversee the creative direction for TBWA’s hallmark global clients including Nissan, McDonalds, Adidas, Pernod Ricard, and more, while also partnering with newly-appointed CEO Rob Schwartz to helm the network’s flagship New York office in the role of Chief Creative Officer. Garbutt will report to Ruhanen and to Worldwide Creative Director, John Hunt.
Garbutt had this to say:”TBWA is an iconic brand, and the best work they do always sets the bar for others to follow. Today, brands need disruptive, world changing and transformative ideas more than ever. I believe with the talent and commitment of the teams across the global network, we can truly achieve greatness for our clients. I am so excited to join a band of creative mavericks with a burning ambition to rewrite the rules. When a culture is as aligned and motivated as TBWA, anything’s possible.”
Rob Schwartz commented: “I’ve long known and long admired Chris’ work – He’s truly one of the working legends in our business today. I’m really looking forward to partnering with him to make our New York office the center of strategic and creative excellence for the TBWA network.” Garbutt, 43, will join TBWA from Ogilvy & Mather East in New York, where he has served as Chief Creative Officer. As CCO, his oversight and leadership spanned all agency disciplines and he is credited with award-winning campaigns for IBM and Coca-Cola. Prior to joining Ogilvy in New York, Garbutt was Chief Creative Officer of the network’s Paris office, where he helped to propel the agency to new creative heights producing global campaigns for Perrier, Louis Vuitton and Google.
In 2014, Advertising Age named Garbutt one of the most awarded Chief Creative Officers in the world. He has won nearly 100 Cannes Lions in his career, including three Grand Prix awards, as well as top honors in The One Show, D&AD, Webbys, Clios and Art Director’s Club awards.
A native of Cape Town, South Africa, Garbutt began his career in Johannesburg as a Creative Director at TBWAHuntLascaris, where he spent four years working under the
tutelage of then-CCO, John Hunt. “I cannot be more delighted with Chris’ appointment,” said Hunt. “Having worked with him for so many years, it’s been a rare privilege to watch his meteoric rise. It’s not often a talent this unique is wrapped in such a decent and hardworking human being, and since no one represents TBWA’s DNA better, it’s the perfect time for him to come home.”