Top Global Planner James Hurman Joins Ogilvy & Mather Shanghai as Planning Partner

SHANGHAI, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Ogilvy & Mather Shanghai welcomes one of the world’s top planners, James Hurman, to the newly created role of Planning Partner, O&M Shanghai, effective immediately. Hurman was recently ranked among the top two planners in the world by The Directory Big Won Creative Rankings 2011. He is also the author of The Case for Creativity, a book about the link between creativity and effectiveness, published in 2011.

In his new role at Ogilvy Hurman will help lead the planning team and will develop large scale, national initiatives for brands including Unilever’s Dove and Pond’s and Coca-Cola energy drink Burn.

Before relocating from New Zealand to Shanghai to join O&M, Hurman was Head of Planning at Colenso BBDO Auckland for five years. During his time there, the agency won 21 Cannes Lions, including two integrated Lions and one of only six inaugural Creative Effectiveness Lions given out in 2011. Under his guidance, his agency also dominated in effectiveness, winning 41 local and international effectiveness awards for 19 different campaigns, and received Bests in Show at both the Asian Marketing Effectiveness Awards and New Zealand Effies.

“Ogilvy’s mission is to create work for our clients that delivers on the 'Twin Peaks' of excellence in creativity and effectiveness. With James we’re getting both ‘Peaks’ in spades. You’d be hard pressed to find a more passionate advocate of the indisputable link between creativity and business results. We’re excited to see how his vision, experience, ideas and charisma will enrich our planning culture and produce great results for clients,” said Edward Bell, Group Planning Director, O&M Shanghai.

James Hurman, Planning Partner, O&M Shanghai, said, “Being here with Ogilvy in Shanghai is a real privilege and it’s a real buzz to be part of a place that is the center of attention of the whole world. My goal and hope is that we can do some really brilliant work here; the kind of work that has a big impact on consumers. The benefit of very creative stuff is that it tends to do that.”

About Ogilvy & Mather

Ogilvy & Mather is one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. Through its specialty units, the company provides a comprehensive range of marketing services including: advertising; public relations and public affairs; branding and identity; shopper and retail marketing; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing. Ogilvy & Mather services Fortune Global 500 companies as well as local businesses through its network of more than 450 offices in 120 countries. It is a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY). For more information, visit www.ogilvy.com.