AKQA hires Eric Cruz as ECD of Shanghai office

AKQA has appointed Eric Cruz as Executive Creative Director of its Shanghai office, replacing Johan Vakidis who left the agency last month. Cruz will look after the growing Shanghai creative team and their work for clients such as Budweiser, Nike and Tencent.

Cruz (left) brings with him close to 20 years of industry experience. He has a strong international background, having held various creative leadership positions in agencies across Asia, Europe and the US.

AKQA Chief Creative Officer Rei Inamoto said: “Eric and I have known each other for a while, and have tried to work together in the past. Stars have now aligned and I am excited for what the future may hold for AKQA, particularly in China under Eric’s unparalleled creative leadership.”

On joining AKQA, Cruz said: “AKQA to me represents a new school of creativity, a playground for ideas born from innovation. China has matured into a brave force to reckon with. Joining AKQA in Shanghai is an immense opportunity to explore new ways of seeing and doing things within a culture that thirsts and hungers for the new. I look forward to exploring, experimenting and tinkering with this network of innovators.”