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VMLY&R nabs BBC Creative ECD Laurent Simon as chief creative officer

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By Imogen Watson, Senior reporter

September 16, 2019 | 2 min read

The recently merged WPP agency, VMLY&R has bolstered its creative team, appointing Laurent Simon as chief creative officer for London.

Laurent Simon joins VMLY&R from BBC Creative

Laurent Simon joins VMLY&R from BBC Creative

In his new role, Simon will be responsible for the agency's creative vision and output across the UK market, leading a 35-strong creative department. He will also work closely with the Centre of Excellence for Experience.

He moves to VMLY&R from BBC Creative, which he joined as executive creative director when the BBC's in-house agency launched back in 2015 with his creative partner Aidan McClure. They were the creative duo behind John Lewis' Christmas ad 'The Bear and the Hare.' In the last year, he had taken a central leadership role following McClure's departure.

Simon will report to VMLY&R London chief executive, Justin Pahl, who took up the top role in May after 11 years at AMV BBDO and EMEA chief creative officer, Jaime Mandelbaum.

Discussing Simon's new role as chief creative officer, chief exec Pahl commented: "I've known Laurent for years, and he is, if not the best, one of the very best in London and possibly the world.

"He’s bright, engaging, consistently pushing boundaries, and also happens to be a thoroughly lovely chap. So, I am beyond excited to have him join us on this brilliant endeavour."

VMLY&R Marketing People on the Move

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VMLY&R is a global marketing agency that harnesses creativity, technology, and culture to create connected brands. The agency is made up of nearly 7,000 employees...

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