SHANGHAI Wieden & Kennedy China has taken on TBWA national strategic planning director Nick Barham to fill a role left vacant by the promotion of Kel Hook to the post of Wieden & Kennedy managing director earlier this year.
Barham, who will join the agency in January next year after an 18-month stint with TBWA, is tasked with new business development alongside Hook and creative chief Frank Hahn. Barham will also oversee the agency's day-to-day running of the planning department, consumer insights and measurements.
"We want to develop our ability in planning that goes beyond just advertising, and really examine contemporary culture and how brands respond to that," said Barham, who will specifically focus on Nike, Electronic Arts and Starbucks.
"Nick is inspired by China as much as we are, and the way he challenges ideas and communications fits with the collaborative environment we're creating at the agency," said Hook.
Prior to joining TBWA, Barham was planning director with a small UK-based creative boutique called Karmarama.
TBWA chiefs confirmed they were currently interviewing a shortlist to replace Barham, with a successor to be named early next year.
