mcgarrybowen Appoints Jason Gonsalves As UK CEO

mcgarrybowen today announces the appointment of Jason Gonsalves as its new UK CEO.

Gonsalves joins from BBH London where he most recently served as Chief Strategy Officer. He has a strong leadership pedigree, and is almost unique in making the transition from media to leading a creative agency. His career in advertising began in media at John Ayling & Associates followed by senior roles at Universal McCann and Michaelides & Bednash, where he led the multi-award winning Channel 4 account.  In 2006 he joined BBH, where he has been part of the agency’s leadership team as Head of Strategy before being promoted to Chief Strategy Officer. In that time the agency won IPA Effectiveness agency of the year, APG Strategy Agency of the Year, the Cannes Grand prix for Creative Effectiveness as well as twice being selected as Campaign’s agency of the year. During this time he has personally led some of the agency’s most effective, innovative and creatively awarded clients included Google, Audi and The Guardian.

In his new role, Gonsalves will work with mcgarrybowen’s existing leadership team, including joint executive creative directors Angus Macadam and Paul Jordan to take the agency to the next stage of its development, building on and growing the agency’s strong client relationships and award-winning work for brands including Honda and Adidas.

In addition to his mcgarrybowen appointment, Gonsalves will also take a leading role in further developing the creative proposition for Dentsu Aegis UK and Ireland as the group continues to invest in its creative capabilities.

Tracy De Groose said “Our aspiration is for mcgarrybowen and Dentsu Aegis to be at the forefront of a new creative era, in an increasing digital world.  Jason’s blend of strategic thinking and creativity combined with his deep digital expertise make him ideal to shape our creative proposition, and lead our biggest creative communications agency. I’m delighted to have him on the team and I look forward to the fresh perspectives and new ideas he will bring to our diverse and growing network”

Jason Gonsalves said “My ambition is to build an exceptional creative culture that is turbo-charged by data and media thinking. I’m truly excited to both lead and help grow mcgarrybowen as the creative, emotional heart at the centre of this world-class, digitally-powered network.”

News of Gonsalves' appointment comes a week after the announcement that Rick Hirst, mcgarrybowen's current UK CEO, is to move to Carat to become the media agency's chief executive officer in the UK.