Creative agency BMB has appointed Laurent Simon as its new chief creative officer. He succeeds Matt Lever, former CCO who left BMB at the end of last year.
Simon brings nearly two decades of experience and a stellar track record of creativity to BMB. He will be responsible for leading the agency’s creative output, with oversight of their full portfolio of clients, which includes Samsung, Rana, Farrow & Ball, Kerry Dairy, FREENOW, Bonne Maman, Breast Cancer Now and The LTA.
Most recently, Simon was chief creative officer at VMLY&R London, where he spearheaded a transformative shift in the agency’s creative culture and output over his four-year tenure. Notably, he was the creative force behind Boots’ hugely successful Christmas campaigns during this time, as well driving impactful work for Stamma, the British Stammering Association.
He began his career at the renowned Watford Ad School before becoming part of the first creative duo at AMV BBDO, alongside his partner Aidan McClure. Simon and McClure went on to join adam&eveDDB, where they quickly rose to success, creating the award-winning “Who Killed Deon” campaign for the Metropolitan Police as well as iconic work for John Lewis, including the “Bear & The Hare” Christmas campaign and “The Other Half.”
Joining BBC Creative as its executive creative director in 2016 marked a new chapter in Simon’s career. He secured the first-ever Gold Lion at Cannes and first D&AD Pencils for BBC Creative, underscoring his ability to create groundbreaking work.
Other awards over his career include accolades at The One Show, British Arrows, Creative Circle, LIA, Clios, Eurobest and Epica.
Jason Cobbold, CEO at BMB, said, “When we first met with Laurent, he felt like a very natural fit for BMB. We’re now thrilled to welcome him as our creative leader. Laurent has some of the best creative credentials in our industry, but it is his excitement about where next that marks him out. In Laurent, we have someone who will drive our work to new heights, ask new questions of us, and share our ambition to grow. We can’t wait to get started.”
Simon added, “I had the most amazing time off, enjoying things I’d never done before or hadn’t done in years. So, when I had to think about where next and with whom, I knew early on that Jason and his crew would be an amazing new home. I am excited beyond belief about the possibilities and ready to create some fantastic work with everyone.”
As BMB heads into its 20th year in 2025, the appointment further evidences the agency’s commitment to future growth following the recent hire of Flora Joll as head of strategy and the promotion of Matt Bonny to head of growth.
The One Club Names Global Finalists For Young Guns 22
The One Club for Creativity has announced 78 talented young creative individuals and teams based in 18 countries selected as finalists for the Young Guns 22 competition, celebrating global creative professionals age 30 or younger.
Young Guns is the industry’s only global, cross-disciplinary, portfolio-based awards competition that identifies and celebrates today’s vanguard of young creatives. This year’s entries were judged by a diverse jury of 101 creatives--many of whom are past YG winners--from 45 countries.
Young Guns 22 finalists span Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hong Kong SAR China, India, Indonesia, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the U.K. and U.S.
This year’s winners will be announced on October 30, 2024, and celebrated at a special in-person party on November 13, 2024 at Sony Hall in New York.
All Young Guns winners receive a unique version of the iconic Young Guns Cube, designed exclusively for this year’s incoming class, and have their permanent profile page added to the Young Guns website.
Winners also receive a complimentary one-year One Club for Creativity membership, permanent membership in the Young Guns network, a chance to be featured in Young Guns events and an assortment of career-boosting opportunities from Young Guns sponsors.
Program branding and design of the YG Cube award itself is reimagined each year by a past Young Guns winner. This year’s YG22 branding was created by New York-based designer, illustrator, muralist, and author Timothy Goodman (YG7).
Levine/Leavitt Artist In Residence Award
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