Innocean Australia has appointed Gual Barwell as their chief strategy officer, who will bring strategic discipline to the agency by providing leadership across business, creative, communications, digital and social strategies.
“We’ve rebuilt Innocean into an integrated communications offering and Executive Creative Director Wez Hawes and I needed someone with diverse experience who could lead the strategy function across the entire agency, including CX and digital,” Innocean Australia CEO Jasmin Bedir said.
“Gual has the skills and the experience to fulfil this role – he has a proven track record of delivering bold brand-thinking through a multitude of consumer touchpoints. We’re excited for him to join our team and help us take the agency to the next level.”
Mr Barwell has over 17 years of experience as an integrated planner both in Australia and abroad. He has recently returned to the country after working for five years in the US, where he was SVP – Group Planning Director at DDB Chicago. Mr Barwell has also worked as a Global Strategy Director at JWT New York.
While in Australia, Mr Barwell worked as REBORN’s Head of Strategy and was able to establish its strategic function and significantly contribute to the agency’s growth. Before that, he was a Senior Creative Strategist at digital communications agency Holler and established the APAC footprint of UK creative consultancy Contagious Communications.
Mr Barwell has worked on integrated strategy for brands including Nestle, Listerine, Audi, Gruppo Campari, Diageo and more.
“I was looking for a team that was equally passionate, competent, ambitious, and driven. I was initially drawn to the infectious energy of Jas and Wez who have built an agency with true technical and creative depth – whilst imbuing a start-up verve. I’ve been blown away by how strongly this ethos is lived by every person in the business,” Mr Barwell said.
“I can’t wait to help support our clients in achieving their goals, whilst continuing to build on the formidable strategic and creative know how the business has.”
The appointment of Mr Barwell to the position of Innocean Australia’s chief strategy officer is effective immediately.
Source: AdNews
Eliza Sayon is an experienced writer who specialises in corporate and government communications. She is the content producer for Public Spectrum, an online knowledge-based platform for and about the Australian public sector.