Ogilvy PR promotes internally for new chief creative officer
Ogilvy PR has appointed Miriam Wells as its new chief creative officer, replacing Bridget Jung who was made joint ECD of Ogilvy Sydney last week.
Wells has been with Ogilvy PR for close to seven years, moving into the top creative job from her most recent role as head of strategy and creative, effective immediate.
Miriam Wells and Nina East.
Wells will be handed the remit of driving creative output and innovative solution development for Ogilvy PR’s client stable, playing a significant role in the agency’s ‘Earned Creativity’ approach to integrated ideas across social, influencer marketing and earned-generating advertising.
Wells will be joined by Nina East, who comes to Ogilvy Health in the newly created role of group creative director after holding the same position at Ogilvy New Zealand for the past two years. She will work across Ogilvy Health’s integrated advertising, medical education, public relations, public affairs and health experience offer, to deliver patient-centric creative ideas.
The appointments are the last round in a creative restructuring at the Ogilvy Network, following the appointment of former Ogilvy PR CCO Bridget Jung to the role of joint ECD at Ogilvy Sydney, alongside UK talent Clark Edwards.Earlier year, Clemenger BBDO’s Hilary Badger was hired as Ogilvy Melbourne’s new ECD.
Of the latest appointments, Richard Brett, CEO of Ogilvy PR and Ogilvy Health, said the creative leadership expansion was further evidence of the agency’s “commitment to creative excellence and innovative thinking”, and the development of specialisations within its consulting strategy and structure that was launched in 2021.
“We’ve brought new ambition to the creativity of the Ogilvy PR and Ogilvy Health businesses over the past few years, and it’s an approach that has resulted in innovative work and effective results for our entire client base,” he said. “It has also led to the strong development of creative thinking at all levels, and we’re proud to utilise the creative smarts already within our network for these positions. There’s incredible depth and an array of unique experience within the Ogilvy Network, and we’re excited to have both Miriam and Nina add their expertise in new ways, while still providing them with opportunities to further develop their passion and specialisations.”
He noted that Wells had been an integral part of the agency since 2016 and has “consistently demonstrated her natural ability to bring out the best in teams and projects across all areas of the business”.
“Over the past few years, Miriam has specialised in earned creativity, and her exceptional skills have made a significant impact on the agency,” he said.
In her new role as CCO, Wells will lead a team of dedicated creatives in Ogilvy PR, working closely with Liana Rossi (head of culture and influence), Cody Desmond (culture editor), and Dom O’Connell (design director) to develop earned-led integrated campaigns for Ogilvy PR.
Ogilvy Network’s chief creative officer, Toby Talbot, added that the Ogilvy AUNZ network’s creative leadership was now “unparalleled in its depth of diverse talent and innovative thinking”.
“We’ve invested significant time and effort finding the right creative leaders who not only play well together but also understand the power of borderless creativity right across our capability ecosystem.
“Whether it’s PR, health, brand, CX, digital or consulting, we can apply creative thinking to any client brief, any brand or any issue that requires a shift in behaviour. I’m incredibly proud of my new ECD team. And stoked to add two incredible specialists in Miriam and Nina to complete the offering. There’s literally nothing we can’t do together.”
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