Y&R promotes Ben Coulson to chief creative officer
In a move that looks to improve GPY&R’s creative offering in all of its offices, Ben Coulson has been promoted to chief creative officer of Y&R Australia/New Zealand.
Coulson was previously ECD of GPY&R Melbourne – the most awarded Australian agency in Cannes this year – and the promotion will give him creative control of the GPY&R in New Zealand and Australia, where Patts is particularly weak in Sydney.
Tony Granger, global chief creative officer of Y&R, said in a statement: “Ben is a remarkable creative leader. He’s passionate, he’s smart and relentlessly focused on creating work that is exciting, innovative and inspirational. This gives our clients more creative firepower across the region.”
“One of his strengths as a leader comes from his belief in the power of collaboration. Mobile Medic was done with VML Kansas City and it was a perfect seamless melding of creativity and innovation — everyone uplifted each other to create something very special and effective,” he said.
Russel Howcroft, CEO, Y&R Australia/New Zealand, who is soon to move to Ten, added: “When we appointed Ben as the Melbourne ECD we knew he was a tremendous creative talent. It has been wonderful to see him grow into becoming an outstanding creative leader. The successes he has had with the Melbourne agency are well documented and I am sure he will now relish the chance to really have an impact throughout the region.”
