Innocean Australia hires ex CHE Proximity ECD Wesley Hawes for executive creative director role

Innocean Australia has announced the appointment of Wesley Hawes as executive creative director, as the agency transforms to a creatively-led, integrated communications offering grounded in data and insights for a range of clients.

Hawes was previously executive creative director of CHE Proximity Sydney, where he grew the creative department, taking it from a few teams to making it one of the biggest and most creatively awarded in Australia. He also led key clients including NRMA Insurance, Samsung, eBay and IKEA. Hawes departed CHE Proximity in September.

Hawes has more than 20 years’ experience as a copywriter and creative director, previously working at Marcel Sydney as ECD and joint ECD at TBWA Sydney. The majority of his career was spent with BBH in London, where he rose to become partner and creative director on the global Axe/Lynx and Mentos/Vigorsol accounts – the most creatively awarded brands in the agency at the time.

Although highly awarded across all disciplines, Hawes is also well known for nurturing creative talent and building thriving creative cultures throughout his career.

Innocean CEO Jasmin Bedirsaid the appointment of Hawes was a coup for the agency: “Wez has an incredible pedigree as a creative director in some of the world’s top agencies and creating work for some of the world’s best known brands. We are so thrilled to have him join our team at Innocean where he can nurture creativity that’s grounded in a multichannel and integrated approach.

“We are undergoing a transformation at Innocean to create a progressive, creatively powerful agency with world class digital experience. Wez’s leadership skills, creative excellence and cross channel expertise will be integral to our success. Now we have Wez on board, we are open for business and already have new client conversations underway. Plus, we will also be announcing several new senior appointments in the coming weeks.”

Says Hawes: “The chance to join Innocean at this point in its trajectory really appealed to me. With the team Jasmin is assembling, the agency has the potential to make a big impact in Australia. I truly believe we have the resources to become a creative powerhouse. I’m also looking forward to working with Innocean’s existing partners, Kia, Hyundai, Genesis and Super Cars Australia as well as any new brands that come on board in 2021.”

Hawes’ appointment is effective from 2 November.