Neil Christie takes on global role at Wieden+Kennedy
Long-serving Wieden+Kennedy London MD Neil Christie has been promoted to COO of the Portland agency’s network, effectively number two in the organisation to president Dave Luhr, COO until 2013.
W+K, founded 35 years ago by Dan Wieden and David Kennedy, remains independent with offices in Portland, New York, London, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Delhi, Shanghai and Tokyo. The network’s foundation client is Nike.
Christie, who became MD in 2004, will still be based in London. New UK MD is Helen Andrews who joined the agency in 2008 (both below).
Luhr says: Neil 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 recognised for great work and strong results for clients.”
After a rocky start London has become one of the pillars of the W+K network, producing outstanding and, sometimes, contentious work. Some years ago a line-up of holding company bosses all chose W+K when asked which agency they most coveted. But the agency has stayed resolutely independent, helped by the presence of fellow Portland resident Nike which uses the agency around the world.
Couldn’t happen to a nicer and more talented guy. Pints all round.
Cheers/George “AdScam” Parker