Howatson+Co makes major creative promotions
Howatson+Company has announced two senior creative promotions in Gavin Chimes and Richard Shaw.
The full service indie agency has confirmed that Chimes has been promoted to chief creative officer, while Shaw has been named deputy CCO.
Having been part of the founding team at the agency, Chimes has spent three-and-a-half years as executive creative director, leading the creative output across clients. Prior to Howatson+Co, Chimes worked at CHE Proximity (CHEP Network), Clemenger BBDO and Droga5, among other leading agencies.
During his time at the agency, he has won over 100 awards including D&AD, Cannes Lions and Effies.
Most recently, he led the agency’s success at the 2024 Mumbrella Awards, taking home five trophies. Howatson+Co was recognised as Full Service Agency of the Year, while its TOUCH and I’m Dying Inside projects snagged it the Mumbrella Award for Innovation and Content Marketing Strategy of the Year, respectively.
The agency also won Best Use of Retail Media for its Matilda Bay Brewery campaign, Your 2nd Favourite Beer. Its chief media officer, Sasha Smith, took home the trophy for Under-30 Achiever of the Year.
(L-R): Gavin Chimes and Richard Shaw
“Gav’s promotion is in recognition of his leadership and creative excellence, but most especially his tenacity in always seeking the best outcome for our clients,” said Chris Howatson, founder and chief executive officer of the agency.
“No brief is too small. No objective too challenging. Gav is a true believer of effectiveness as the strategy, creativity as the solution. I’m very proud to have him lead the creative product of our fabulous agency as CCO.”
Meanwhile, Shaw joined Howatson+Co in 2022 as executive creative director, also from CHEP Network, where he led the Samsung account. His creative experience spans nearly two decades, across other agencies including TBWA, DDB and Clemenger BBDO.
Now serving as deputy CCO, Shaw will support Chimes to continue the agency’s award-winning work.
Howatson continued: “Similarly, Rich’s promotion is in recognition of his uncompromising commitment to our clients with creativity always as the answer.
“He is a calm, guiding hand, regardless how complex the conditions. And an exceptional people leader. I couldn’t be more proud of Gav and Rich and confident in our future.”
Chimes and Shaw said it has been a privilege helping to build the agency up over the last few years, yet “it’s only the start”.
“We look forward to continuing H+CO’s trajectory, working with wonderful people and clients to make the best work in the world.”
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the creative and PR beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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