Cranston shifts to head up Proximity China

BBDO's inter-active arm, Proximity China, has begun ramping up its presence in the mainland, with three senior hires bolstering its offering. Gavin Cranston, formerly of Proximity Sydney, has been appointed director of the agency's China unit. He is joined by two hires from live marketing agency ANPC: Jude Rogers, founder and creative director of ANPC, who joins as director; and Simon Tung, senior account manager. Cranston and Robert - who have already pitched and won business from Volvo and Veuve Clicquot since joining - will report to recently-appointed BBDO and Proximity China CEO Carol Potter, responsible for strategic communications and new-business development. "The new position involves a lot of development of integration, in terms of strategic advertising ideas across multiple media," said Cranston. "There are more people on broadband in China than in Australia, so that gives you so much more breadth and depth in terms of opportunities in reaching people." Cranston has been involved in the interactive sector for about eight years, and prior to his stint at Proximity fronted digital teams at D'Arcy Australia and Leo Burnett. Robert worked on a number of premium brands during his time at APNC, developing and managing a wide range of events for Gucci, Cartier, Panerai and Zegna among others. Cranston said another key area for the pair is growing the Proximity brand on the mainland, adding they were already looking to fill key positions in Shanghai and Beijing.

by | 06/28/2006

BBDO's inter-active arm, Proximity China, has begun ramping up its presence in the mainland, with three senior hires bolstering its offering.

Gavin Cranston, formerly of Proximity Sydney, has been appointed director of the agency's China unit. He is joined by two hires from live marketing agency ANPC: Jude Rogers, founder and creative director of ANPC, who joins as director; and Simon Tung, senior account manager.

Cranston and Robert â€” who have already pitched and won business from Volvo and Veuve Clicquot since joining â€” will report to recently-appointed BBDO and Proximity China CEO Carol Potter, responsible for strategic communications and new-business development.

"The new position involves a lot of development of integration, in terms of strategic advertising ideas across multiple media," said Cranston.

"There are more people on broadband in China than in Australia, so that gives you so much more breadth and depth in terms of opportunities in reaching people."

Cranston has been involved in the interactive sector for about eight years, and prior to his stint at Proximity fronted digital teams at D'Arcy Australia and Leo Burnett.

Robert worked on a number of premium brands during his time at APNC, developing and managing a wide range of events for Gucci, Cartier, Panerai and Zegna among others.

Cranston said another key area for the pair is growing the Proximity brand on the mainland, adding they were already looking to fill key positions in Shanghai and Beijing.