Watson Philips Norman is strengthening its senior team with the appointment of Targetbase Claydon Heeley’s Chris Martin to work alongside Bob Nash as joint creative directors.
Martin has been executive creative director at TBCH since March 2009, joining from the agency he co-founded Bright, which closed after six years in operation.
A well-known figure in DM agency-land, he has worked in the industry for more than 25 years at some of the industry’s top agencies including Bates, M-S-B+K and Carlson Marketing – where he first worked with TBCH boss Steve Grout.
Martin has amassed more than 130 industry awards for clients including Amex, British Airways, HSBC, RSPCA, Thomas Cook and John Smith’s. He has worked on major integrated and digital campaigns for the likes of Three mobile, Bentley, Aviva, Scottish Courage and the Samaritans.
WPN managing director John Watson said: “WPN is a decade old this year and we’ve had a great start to our tenth anniversary with some excellent new business wins. Bringing someone of Chris’ calibre to the team to enhance our digital and integrated offering and work alongside Bob, Maria and the rest of the WPN team, is exciting. It’s a pleasure to have another real professional join the team.”
Martin said: “I’m fired up at the prospect of helping WPN expand its offering and really can’t wait to get boots laced up and dive in. The chance to get to get involved with a genuinely independent agency with such a track record married with a fierce ambition to improve and grow was simply too good to miss.”
WPN co-founder Maria Phillips has now taken on the title of director of film and TV, to reflect her increasing involvement in this area.
