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Host picks up V8 Supercars creative and hires Julian Watt as ECD

Watt and Mackintosh

Watt and Mackintosh

Creative agency Host has announced it has been appointed the creative agency for V8 Supercars and has also picked up former GPY&R Sydney creative lead Julian Watt as an executive creative director.

Watt departed Y&R Group last November after nearly four years, and will join existing ECD Bob Mackintosh who joined Host in March last year.

In a statement he said: “I’ve always appreciated Host’s commitment to bold, ambitious and effective ideas for its clients. Provocative thinkers. I’m excited to join in and amplify that.”

The move sees Host to continue to add creative firepower to its in-house skills, having previously relied on external partners.

Host founder and group CEO Anthony Freedman told Mumbrella: “Our viewpoint was that some point during last year it was time for Host to add creative leadership to the management team within the building after previously having all creative relationships outside of the building.

“Based on the success of that our feeling is we should continue to develop that line of thinking and have strengthened our creative leadership by giving Bob a partner in Julian.”

The appointment comes as the agency has won a number of new clients, including the NBN Co.

The agency will work on V8 Supercar’s brand strategy and an integrated campaign for 2014, with the appointment coming ahead of its 2014 season opener next week, and follows on from Network Ten, Fox Sports and Foxtel securing the broadcast rights in a $241m deal.

This season marks a number of firsts for V8 Supercars with the breaking of the Ford-Holden rivalry with the introduction of new cars, new manufacturers, new drivers, racing formats and tracks, although questions remain over the new broadcast deal and how much Supercars will have free-to-air coverage.

Freedman said: “The new business win is something that we’re pleased about and its a win that comes alongside several other new business wins which we are excited about and a good start to the year and following on a nice finish to last year.”

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