McCann says ‘We’re not just about Dumb Ways to Die’ as it appoints new business head
McCann Australia has appointed Vince Viola as chief growth officer to lead the agency’s new business push as the agency looks to build on a record breaking awards haul in 2013 driven by Dumb Ways to Die campaign, and picking up new clients including Google and VicHealth.
Despite the awards success the agency was criticised in some parts of the industry for a perceived lack of new business wins, and claims it was relying on Dumb Ways and had not backed it up with other pieces of brilliant creativity.
Chairman and CEO Ben Lilley told Mumbrella these claims were wide of the mark, adding: “The one thing I would say to people criticising the agency’s creative output is we won awards last year across 15 different client campaigns, we won Lions for three different campaigns. Even if you took out Dumb Ways to Die we would have been one of Australia’s most awarded at Cannes and at other awards shows as well.
Chief Growth Officer? What type of title is that? Imaging pitching to a prospective client and handing over a business card with that title….very inward looking me thinks…
I think that needs to go to the “Title Cemetery” along with Chief Experience Officer and Chief Innovation Officer….
The one ad agency!