Naked Communications co-founder and chairman Jon Wilkins departs the company after 13 years
Jon Wilkins, co-founder and chairman of Naked Communications, has announced his resignation from the company. Jon will leave Naked at the end of the year.
Wilkins founded Naked Communications with John Harlow and Will Collin in London in 2000, where they pioneered communications planning and were instrumental in turning Naked from a single UK office into an award winning, internationally recognized agency working with an enviable list of multinational brands.
Wilkins moved to Australia to join Naked’s Sydney office in 2009. He was then based in New York from 2011 to 2013. More recently, Wilkins relocated to his family home in London mid way through this year and has been on sabbatical leave since then.
Says Matthew Melhuish, CEO of Enero Group: “Jon is a unique figure in the industry; a creative thinker, straight talker and a genuinely nice guy. Loved by clients and staff from Sydney to London – Jon is leaving Naked but his unique way of looking at problems and desire to challenge the status quo lives on in Naked’s DNA.”
Says Wilkins: “After 13 and a half years at Naked it feels like the right time to move on and explore new horizons. I’ve put my heart and soul into Naked and leave with many amazing memories. The best part has been the chance to work with some of the most brilliant, creative and inspiring people in the industry. Naked means the world to me and will always do so. My decision to move on is made slightly easier in knowing that Naked is in great shape and in such good hands. Naked has embarked on a new chapter and I wish the team nothing but success for the future.”
Naked has seen strong growth and building momentum in recent times with new hires and significant new business wins that include Virgin Atlantic, De Beers Forevermark, Danone, Mars Pedigree and additional projects from The Coca-Cola Company. The agency continues to maintain its high standard of work, having won the WARC International Prize for Innovation, a gold and two silver Cannes Lions, and gold and silver at the Effies so far this past year.
Says Will Collin, Naked co-founder, who remains with Naked: “Jon will be missed by the Naked family and leaves with our unwavering support. The timing is right for him and I have no doubt that he will continue to do great things. I’m very excited about the road ahead. Never before have we had so much invested into our brand, attracting new clients, exceptional new talent and energizing our team.”