AKQA’s Tim Devine moves to global invention role
AKQA’s AUNZ executive creative director, Tim Devine, has been promoted to the role of global chief invention officer as part of the agency’s global executive committee expansion.
The committee’s growth has been described by AKQA as a response to growing demands from clients, with a total of four global appointments designed to “drive innovation and impact”.
It will allow the agency to “guide clients through transformation” across multiple markets with a more integrated approach.
Devine — who is based in New Zealand — has been with AKQA since 2017, when he joined as executive director of research and development. Since 2018, he has worked in various executive creative and innovation roles across the agency’s APAC and AUNZ offerings.
Tim Devine
Devine has been tasked with “pushing the boundaries of what’s possible” for clients in his new role. According to a media release, he will lead the development of “groundbreaking original solutions”.
In Australia, the agency appointed Tara McKenty as executive creative director late last year, working closely with Devine and the wider local leadership team, including chief strategist Iona Macgregor and Sydney general manager Justine Leong.
She joined after nearly two years at BMF where she was chief innovation officer and co-executive creative director. Prior to that, she spent over a decade at Google, leading the APAC creative team.
Her appointment came after AKQA globally absorbed White Grey, which saw a number of Grey’s studios — Australia, UAE, Italy, Belgium — transition to AKQA. After the acquisition White Grey’s Australian CEO, Lee Simpson, was ousted and AKQA’s APAC managing partner, Brian Vella, took the lead.
Devine told Mumbrella he’s most excited to tackle the “really significant challenges and deep transitions” across culture, cognition, and climate, that organisations and communities are facing today.
“I’m passionate about using purposeful invention not just to help them adapt, but to actively shape these shifts in a positive way. For me, driving meaningful impact is paramount,” he said.
“I also truly embrace the process of invention itself – the collaboration it requires, the comfort with ambiguity, and even learning from failures. I believe we can push boundaries effectively and create work that matters.”
He also said a “huge part of [his] excitement” comes from the team and culture at AKQA.
“It feels like a real privilege to work with such a talented group of people I already admire. I’m looking forward to working within a culture of mutual respect while also embracing constructive dissonance — the healthy challenges that spark better ideas,” he told Mumbrella.
“There’s a real sense of urgency and potential right now, and I feel energised and ready to dive in with the team. Honestly, I just want to get on with it and help make good things happen. The time is now.”
Elsewhere, the agency has also named Miriam Plon Sauer as global chief strategy officer and Ben Royce as global chief technology officer.
(L-R clockwise): Miriam Plon Sauer, Ben Royce, Jonathan Bolden, Tim Devine
Sauer — who is based in Denmark — returns to the agency after a short stint at McCann Worldgroup. She worked at AKQA from 2018-late 2024 in various strategic roles, and will now oversee the agency’s global output.
Meanwhile, as a former Google AI lead, US-based Royce will be responsible for integrating digital and AI-driven innovation into the business models of clients, assisting them to grow efficiently.
AKQA has also promoted Jonathan Bolden to global chief transformation officer. US-based Bolden has been with the agency since 2016. In his new role, he will help clients navigate the increasing complexity of the market.
The new global leaders will work closely with AKQA’s global chief creatives, Shu Hung, Diego Machado, Peter Lund, and Hugo Veiga.
“These leadership appointments mark a pivotal moment for AKQA. As we continue to evolve, we are bringing together some of the brightest minds in strategy, technology, invention and business transformation to drive forward a more integrated and future-focused proposition,” Stephan Pretorius, AKQA’s interim chair, said in a media release.
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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