Wieden & Kennedy Shanghai promotes Barham to co-ECD

The appointment marks the first time that the agency has appointed a staff member with a background in planning to a creative role. Barham will work directly alongside co-executive creative director Nick Cohen, and with Kel Hook, Wieden & Kennedy Shanghai’s managing director.

According to John C Jay, the agency’s global executive creative director, “the qualifications for a true creative director have evolved beyond craft and management”.

Jay noted that “broader skills are required in order to lead brands with speed and cultural relevancy”. He added that Barham had played a key role in creative processes, such as developing documentaries, music videos, event websites and applications at Wieden & Kennedy since joining in 2006.

Barham moved to Shanghai four years ago to work at TBWA. Prior to that, he worked as a planner and ‘cultural reporter’ for brands such as Audi, Unilever, Johnnie Walker and Levi’s.

Barham’s client portfolio at Wieden & Kennedy Shanghai includes Nike, Converse, Coca-Cola and Nokia.

Earlier this month, the agency hired Frank Hahn and Naoki Ito as joint executive creative directors in Tokyo.