Gual Barwell has been appointed as the new chief strategy officer for creative agency Innocean Australia.
In the new role, he will lead the strategic discipline across the agency, provide leadership across business, creative, communications, digital and social strategy. His appointment is effective immediately.
Barwell, who has more than 17 years of experience as an integrated planner in Australia and abroad, joins the agency following a recent five-year stint in the U.S., where he was SVP – group planning director at DDB Chicago.
Prior to that role, he was global strategy director at JWT New York.
Before his stint in the States, he was REBORN’s head of strategy and established its strategic function and contributed to the agency’s growth, he was a senior creative strategist at digital communications agency Holler, and also established the APAC footprint of UK creative consultancy Contagious Communications.
Barwell has worked on integrated strategy for brands including Nestle, Listerine, Audi, Gruppo Campari, Diageo and more.
Innocean CEO, Jasmin Bedir, said: “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.
“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 helping us take the agency to the next level.”
Barwell said of his new role: “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. 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,” he added.
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Top image: Wez Hawes, Jasmin Bedir and Gual Barwell