W+K elevates Christie to COO and promotes two others in London and Portland

Christie, longtime managing director for W+K London, in his new role as global chief operating officer will manage day-to-day operations of the W+K network. He is tasked with defending creativity while driving new business and managing global accounts, partnering with chief creative officer Colleen DeCourcy, who continues to lead the network’s creative output and talent. Christie will report to Luhr. Dan Wieden, founder, remains chairman of W+K.

“Neil exemplifies strong W+K business leadership. He knows great creative work and is never afraid to push for it internally or with clients. This relentless drive has powered W+K London to become globally recognized for great work and strong results for clients. I have no doubt he will apply the same drive and innovative thinking in his new global role,” commented Luhr.

Christie has been leading W+K’s London office for over a decade and was named a partner in 2011. Under his leadership, the office has created award-winning work for clients including Nike, Honda and Arla, grown revenue 350% and been consistently celebrated as one of the industry’s top shops in London.

“Wieden+Kennedy was founded to be a place where people could do the best work of their lives, and we have had a pretty good run with that so far. It’s an honor to help continue that legacy, and to define what that means for our people and clients globally as we look ahead to our future,” said Christie.

Helen Andrews, current deputy managing director of W+K London, has been promoted to managing director, filling the position vacated by Christie. Andrews will assume responsibility of running the office, alongside executive creative directors Tony Davidson and Iain Tait. She has been at W+K for nearly nine years and in 2014 was promoted from director of account services to deputy managing director. She has run and grown accounts including Three and Lurpak, and recently led the successful pitches for TK Maxx and Sainsbury’s. In her new role she will report to Christie.

“Helen has played a huge part in W+K London’s success over the last decade. This promotion is richly deserved and will be celebrated by all who are lucky enough to have worked with her. Helen will take W+K to the next level of success for its work, its clients, and its people,” commented Christie.

In the US, Jess Monsey has been named director of client services in the agency’s Portland office, reporting to managing director Tom Blessington.

Monsey, who has been with W+K for over a decade, will oversee the agency’s largest account services department in Portland. In addition to her role as group account director overseeing Old Spice and KFC, Monsey spent the past two years as business director, building out the Portland office’s publishing capabilities.

“Not only has Jess Monsey championed some of this agency’s greatest work over the past decade, she is a true business partner to her clients. She’s also been a key proponent of helping the agency evolve its creative offerings. For these reasons and more, I’m beyond excited to make this announcement,” commented Blessington.

DeCourcy added, “Jess and Helen are success stories for us, and we need more like them. Exceptional leaders, innovators, women. I’m proud to say this agency has mentored and developed them both through their careers here, and they will be a major influence on us moving forward.”

Christie, Andrews and Monsey are all part of the agency’s stakeholder group, which was expanded last year in an effort to diversify, grow, and strengthen the future leadership of W+K.