Australia – Clemenger BBDO, an Australian creative company, has announced the appointment of Simon Wassef as chief strategy and experience officer to expand the agency’s existing CX capabilities and offering.
In his new senior leadership role, Wassef will lead strategy and customer experience across the Clemenger business, and the remit will include growth, new business, elevation of talent, and new practices.
Wassef is back at Clemenger after having first worked at the company 21 years ago as a junior account planner. He joins the agency after more than two and a half years as national chief strategy officer at whiteGREY. Prior to that, he also served as chief strategy officer at TBWA\Chiat\Day in Los Angeles.
He brings with him a wealth of experience, which includes more than 20 years working in Europe, the US, and Australia: three years at R/GA in London, three years at SID LEE in Amsterdam, plus stints at Droga5, AMV BBDO, AKQA, and Host Sydney.
Furthermore, Wassef has worked across leading international and Australian brands, including IKEA, Qantas, adidas, Absolut, Samsung, HSBC, Red Bull, Electronic Arts, Guinness, Google, Johnnie Walker, Volvo, Panadol, Westfield, Nike, and Beats By Dre.
Aside from his expanded portfolio, Wassef is also multi-awarded, having won the Grand EFFIE, APG UK Gold, Jay Chiat Gold, and David Ogilvy Gold. He serves on the AdCouncil DE&I Committee, judges Creative Strategy for AWARD, and teaches Advanced Strategy for AdSchool.
Dani Bassil, CEO at Clemenger BBDO, shared that she is thrilled to have Wassef on board.
She said, “Simon really is one of the best in the business; if not the best. He’s worked everywhere I’ve ever wanted to work, R/GA London, Sid Lee Amsterdam, and ChiatDay LA. The fact he’s bringing all this experience to Clemenger is a game changer for us. The experience is the brand, and the fact he is so expert in both realms is exactly what we’ve needed in this leadership role. Besides being one of the smartest people I’ve met, he’s funny and kind. And he’s finally coming back to Clems. I’m so excited.”
Of his new appointment, Wassef said, “When Clemenger calls, you have to answer. Let’s go.”
Wassef’s appointment at Clemenger BBDO follows the recent appointments of Anita Zanesco to the newly created role of chief growth officer and two managing partners, Georgie Winton and Anita Deutsch.
