McCann lures Kiwi expat Todd McCracken for regional ECD role at Commonwealth//McCann

CB Exclusive: Commonwealth// McCann, a division of McCann Worldgroup, has hired Ogilvy & Mather Vietnam CCO and Kiwi expat Todd McCracken as Regional Executive Creative Director for Commonwealth// McCann’s Asia Pacific operations, based in Bangkok. Commonwealth// McCann is the agency that serves as the global advertising agency of record for the General Motors Chevrolet brand. The appointment is effective September 1st.

McCracken (pictured left) replaces Thierry Halbroth, who leaves McCann Worldgroup after 10 years with the network.

“As a highly-awarded creative across Asia, I’m pleased to welcome Todd to our global community,” said Linus Karlsson, Creative Chairman, Commonwealth//McCann. “I’m confident Todd’s creative sensibility will continue to elevate our product across Asia and deepen our ongoing commitment to inventing strategic and meaningful campaigns for General Motors Chevrolet brand.”

Originally from New Zealand, McCracken has worked in Asia Pacific for 13 years across a large portfolio of brands, including. He joins Commonwealth//McCann from Ogilvy, where he worked for the last eight years; five years as Chief Creative Officer, Vietnam, and three years as Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy Singapore. Prior to joining Ogilvy in 2007, McCracken was Regional Creative Director at Grey based in Singapore.

“Todd is a passionate, extremely driven creative expert, who cares deeply about inventing work that has a positive impact on the client’s brand,” said Bill Kolb, Chairman and CEO, Commonwealth//McCann. “We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the team and having him lead our creative direction forward in Asia, while working across our global community to strengthen our ability to help Chevrolet achieve its brand goals.”

Kolb adds, “Thierry’s leadership has been a tremendous asset to our team over the years. I’d like to personally thank him for the many contributions he has made and wish him well in his new chapter.”

Campaign Brief Asia contacted Halbroth (pictured left) in Bangkok and he said he’d been fortunate to have worked across two of the McCann network’s flagship brands, with some fabulous people, over the past 10 years.

“I’ve learned a lot, made some wonderful friends, worked with some of the most awesome clients and been given a tremendous amount of trust, freedom and encouragement to create innovative campaigns on two of the biggest brands in their category. For this I am very thankful and It’s now the right time for me to explore other opportunities within the wider creative community. I’m very excited about opening the next chapter.” said Halbroth.

Halbroth spent 8 years working on the Cathay Pacific global account in Hong Kong, rising to the global ECD role. Two years ago, in July 2013, he moved to Bangkok to be ECD at Commonwealth//McCann.