Mcgarrybowen London has reengineered its planning department with the appointment of Rory Gallery and Chris McKibbin as joint heads of strategy.
The pair join from Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO and Adjust Your Set respectively. They become the agency’s most senior planners following the departure of Kevin Chesters who left earlier this year.
Gallery and McKibbin are the first senior hirings to be made by Mcgarrybowen’s new chief executive Jason Gonsalves who joined the agency from Bartle Bogle Hegarty in the summer, and complete its senior line-up alongside executive creative directors Angus Macadam and Paul Jordan.
Gonsalves said: “In uncertain times strategy is more important than ever, but it’s in need of radical reinvention. By colliding their respective skills - Rory in real brand and advertising experience and Chris in data, technology and content – we are making a big step-change for the agency.”
Gallery added: "The world of brands and communications is changing fast. I was blown away by the team at Mcgarrybowen's enthusiasm to face into these challenges."
McKibbin said: “Everyone’s talking about the synthesis of creativity, data and technology but Mcgarrybowen has the hunger, talent and network to actually make it happen. We’re about to build something very different, and I’m proud and excited to be part of that.”
McKibbin has previously worked at J Walter Thompson Worldwide while Gallery worked at Host in his native Australia. They have worked on brands including Guinness, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Bacardi and Siemens.
