Missed this one, that global CCO Matt Eastwood (below) is leaving JWT for some unspecified venture but it probably all got too much for him in the strange alternative universe of JWT New York.
Adweek’s Agency Spy discovered this memo from global CEO Tamara Ingram (it seems to be getting to her too).
Everyone,
I’m writing to share the news that Matt Eastwood, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, has exited J. Walter Thompson to pursue a new adventure. We thank him for his contributions and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.
We are reimagining the future of the agency. This is a structural decision that will allow us to be more agile, leverage our collective global bench strength and encourage the burgeoning diverse ‘maker culture’ growing within J. Walter Thompson. As such, we have no plans to replace the role.
Creativity remains at the very core of our business, but today it is an even more collaborative process. It is borderless. It is broadly focused. We are increasingly relying on the people who are closest to making and creating the work. And, we are re-imagining the future of how this shift will be reflected within our organization and our leadership structure.
The Worldwide Creative Council will evolve to better reflect the needs of the agency. It will continue to be a pivotal part of our organization internally, and set standards and practices for how we improve the quality of our work. And, there will be a fluid roster of talented individuals with myriad skill sets.
Additional strategic changes will include the use of technology to evaluate creative concepts at a much earlier stage. This will allow us to be iterative in real time and to ensure we are evolving our work to be stronger, more innovative and have a greater impact on our clients’ business.
I am committed to protecting, supporting and developing the creative community and culture within JWT. I am looking forward to sharing more specific information soon. For now, it’s business as usual and we will keep the trains running as we head into Cannes.
Tam
George Parker of Adscam fame likes to recall the time when JWT tried to re-invent themselves as “cultural anthropologists.” Maybe they’re having another bash.
Aren’t they supposed to be communicators too? WTF does “iterative in real time” mean? And who travels to Cannes by train?
In this case, you really couldn’t make it up.
As someone who worked at J. Walter Thompson / JWT / J. Walter Thompson in New York it always was – and remains – the logo you see in the dictionary when you look you the word “Shitshow”
iterative in real time? Hinting they are investing in a realtime feedback engine that let everyone (including clients) evaluate ideas on the fly. Works well for production, doubt it’ll make creative development process stronger. Time will tell!
You gotta ask WTF does a Global CCO do? Except drain a shit-tonne of money out of the business. Same goes for Global CSO. What’s the obsession with so-called ‘C-suiters’ anyway – besides advertising agencies just following the herd and engaging in the same money-wasting practices of other consultancies. Call bullshit on all of it.