Multi-awarded BEN COULSON JOINS DENTSU CREATIVE AS CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER FOR AUSTRALIA + NZ

Campaign Brief can reveal that Dentsu Creative has appointed internationally recognised Creative leader Ben Coulson as its new Chief Creative Officer for Australia and New Zealand

Coulson’s appointment follows last week’s departure of joint CCOs Mandie van der Merwe and Avish Gordhan who were lured to Saatchi & Saatchi Australia after 11 months in the role.

Coulson’s career has spanned roles in North America, UK, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. Ranking among Australia’s most celebrated creative leaders of the past decade, Coulson has twice been recognised in the top five CCOs in the world at the Cannes Festival, and in the Top 10 CCOs in the world on The Won Report.

Coulson was formerly Chief Creative Officer of HERO/McCann, Clemenger BBDO, VMLY&R, and George Patterson, where each agency rose to become Agency of the Year on multiple occasions.

He has a wealth of experience across many of the regions most respected brands such as Tourism Australia, Telstra, Qantas, Toyota, Cadbury, Coke, Frucor Suntory, Burger King, Schweppes, Corona, Carlton United Breweries, AFL, Australian Defence Force, Mastercard, Visa, Menulog, Microsoft, eBay, Unilever, GSK, Monash Uni, Melbourne Uni, Wrigley’s, Cottees, Mars, & Vegemite.

Coulson has been recognised with both Cannes & D&AD Agency of the year titles, has three times won ANZ network of the year at Cannes and Spikes, and most awarded agency in APAC at the One Show. Additionally, he’s won multiple Grande Prix, Best of Show and Grande Effies, along with several Agency of the Year titles at Campaign Brief, Adnews, B&T and AWARD.

Says Coulson: “Dentsu have the capability to deliver creativity well beyond traditional methods. They are quietly assembling a squad of very talented people, and the global network is catching fire (2nd in APAC on the CB list last week). All compelling reasons for me to crash this party.”

Says Kirsty Muddle, Chief Executive Officer, Dentsu Creative ANZ : “Ben will accelerate our agenda to make great work; work that demonstrates what dentsu can do for brands and businesses when we harness all of our capability, media, experience, technology, data, and gaming. He has the experience and credentials to get us there.”

Coulson starts with Dentsu Creative in December and will report into Kirsty Muddle.