Matt Cullen + Gary Tranter take on chief creative officers roles at Digitas APAC; Craig Howie joins as Hong Kong executive creative director

Digitas has bolstered their Creative leadership in Asia Pacific elevating Matt Cullen and Gary Tranter to Chief Creative Officers overseeing both Digitas and the Arcade brand that they are co-founders of. Both Digitas and Arcade are part of the Publicis network.

In addition Craig Howie has been appointed as the new Executive Creative Director for Digitas Hong Kong.  Cullen and Tranter (pictured) will both report into Annette Male, CEO APAC and Ronald Ng, Global Chief Creative Officer, Digitas.

Said Annette Male, CEO APAC, Digitas: “Having Gary and Matt onboard completes our data, tech and creative offering perfectly underpinning our new proposition around Truth, Connection and Wonder.”

Howie (pictured right) began his career in Singapore in 2000, and has since worked all across Asia from Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong with some of the leading agencies globally, including Commonwealth McCann, J. Walter Thompson, BBH, Fallon and Tribal DDB.

Howie has worked across a wide range of business developing integrated, creative and dynamic campaigns for a broad list of global brands including Chevrolet, Bayer, Johnnie Walker, AXE, Levi’s, Mentos and Volkswagen to name a few. Some of his achievements to date, include recognition at Cannes, D&AD, as well as CampaignAsia’s Campaign of the Year.

Looking ahead, Howie has the ambition to further integrate data into the creative process in ways that further unlock the inspiration required to develop transformational work that genuinely connects consumer’s needs with business value.

Howie will report into David Paysant, MD of Hong Kong and Tranter and Cullen.

Said Howie: “Digitas has a great reputation, and some great clients in the region. I am excited by their unique capabilities around data as it opens up the creative opportunity in ways that will allow us to develop some exciting and differentiated work.”

Cullen and Tranter said: “Craig has an impressive track record. We are inspired by the work he has done around the region and excited by what he can bring to the work at Digitas. His passion for connecting the dots between data, media, tech and creativity aligns perfectly with the big ambitions we set for our clients’ brands.”