McCann lures Todd McCracken out of O&M to replace Thierry Halbroth as Regional Executive Creative Director at Commonwealth//McCann
CB Asia exclusive: Commonwealth// McCann, a division of McCann Worldgroup, has hired Ogilvy & Mather Vietnam CCO Todd McCracken as Regional Executive Creative Director for Commonwealth// McCann’s Asia Pacific operations, based in Bangkok. Commonwealth// McCann is the agency that serves as the global advertising agency of record for the General Motors Chevrolet brand. The appointment is effective September 1st.
McCracken (pictured left) replaces Thierry Halbroth, who leaves McCann Worldgroup after 10 years with the network.
“As a highly-awarded creative across Asia, I’m pleased to welcome Todd to our global community,” said Linus Karlsson, Creative Chairman, Commonwealth//McCann. “I’m confident Todd’s creative sensibility will continue to elevate our product across Asia and deepen our ongoing commitment to inventing strategic and meaningful campaigns for General Motors Chevrolet brand.”
Originally from New Zealand, McCracken has worked in Asia Pacific for 13 years across a large portfolio of brands, including. He joins Commonwealth//McCann from Ogilvy, where he worked for the last eight years; five years as Chief Creative Officer, Vietnam, and three years as Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy Singapore. Prior to joining Ogilvy in 2007, McCracken was Regional Creative Director at Grey based in Singapore.
“Todd is a passionate, extremely driven creative expert, who cares deeply about inventing work that has a positive impact on the client’s brand,” said Bill Kolb, Chairman and CEO, Commonwealth//McCann. “We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the team and having him lead our creative direction forward in Asia, while working across our global community to strengthen our ability to help Chevrolet achieve its brand goals.”
Kolb adds, “Thierry’s leadership has been a tremendous asset to our team over the years. I’d like to personally thank him for the many contributions he has made and wish him well in his new chapter.”
Campaign Brief Asia contacted Halbroth (pictured left) in Bangkok and he said he’d been fortunate to have worked across two of the McCann network’s flagship brands, with some fabulous people, over the past 10 years.
“I’ve learned a lot, made some wonderful friends, worked with some of the most awesome clients and been given a tremendous amount of trust, freedom and encouragement to create innovative campaigns on two of the biggest brands in their category. For this I am very thankful and It’s now the right time for me to explore other opportunities within the wider creative community. I’m very excited about opening the next chapter.” said Halbroth.
Halbroth spent 8 years working on the Cathay Pacific global account in Hong Kong, rising to the global ECD role. Two years ago, in July 2013, he moved to Bangkok to be ECD at Commonwealth//McCann.
5 Comments
Irrefutable logic resulting in a real solid hire by Commonwealth…..the guy who put out campaigns for wearing helmets and the world famous Cu Chi Museum would be simply perfect for an iconic all-American brand like Chevy.
‘Lured’ out of Vietnam?
Good one!
‘… the guy who put out campaigns for wearing helmets and the world famous Cu Chi Museum would simply be perfect for an iconic all American brand like Chevy.’
Sarcasm? Why wouldn’t he be perfect? Folks who do good work in one category tend to be able to do it in other categories as well, and Todd’s book has a lot more than two campaigns in it.
McCanns is investing big time in this region. This is another good investment on their part.
Don’t worry Real CD, if you ever have a book and an award tally half as good as Todd’s, you may be offered an ECD position on a regional account too. Maybe.
@ Real CD:
The helmet campaigns, yes. Cu Chi museum? nope, it was Steve Hough’s work at Saatchis, man.
@good move….your right he really has done some lovely work that would make him perfect for a hardnosed american car brand that keeps shuffling agencies.
So I do apologise matey….in a rush I really forgot to include his other impressive works of persuasion for tamiya toys, fhm magazine, matchbox toys, wwf save the rhinos and the world famous Lien Foundation hospice project.