Karl Dunn, the three-year brand steward of the Nissan USA account at TBWAChiatDay, Los Angeles, has joined FCB West as sr. VP, group creative director. Dunn, who also consulted on the brand’s advertising efforts in Canada, Mexico and Brazil, is partnering with Julie Scelzo, sr. VP, group creative director at FCB West.
Dunn, who started his career in Sydney and gained global experience working in Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Amsterdam and Berlin at shops including BBH, Leo Burnett and Strawberry Frog, is based in San Francisco. Levi Strauss & Co. and Trulia are among the brands he will help steer at FCB West.
Dunn is an Australia native who has created culturally relevant content for brands including MINI, Levi’s, Heineken, McDonald’s, Discovery and Hub Network during his tenure. Eric Springer, FCB West chief creative officer, described Dunn as being “a superstar writer with new business chops and a hunger for adventure. He’s going to help us up our game and reach new heights.”
An award-winning creative, honored by Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Clios, Webby Awards and more, Dunn said he’s “passionate about branded entertainment” and writing screenplays when not making ads.
It was a combination of factors that Dunn said attracted him to his new roost. “I came to FCB for four reasons: an iconic account, a great partner, a city I adore and to join an office and network on the rise.”
Dunn’s arrival follows other key creative hires at FCB West. Steve O’Brien (sr. copywriter) and Amy Matheu (art director) joined in April and are based in the Los Angeles office. Matheu is a Texas native who studied architecture, animation and graphic design. She joined FCB from Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami, where she produced campaigns for Arby’s, A.1. Steak Sauce and MetLife, among others.
O’Brien began his career at Ground Zero where he created many successful campaigns for ESPN, End Hunger Network, California Department of Health and the Los Angeles Times. Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Saatchi & Saatchi, Team One and Innocean are among the shops where he has worked and contributed to campaigns for Frito-Lay, Toyota, NBC, Flexjet and Hyundai. The Hyundai work recently captured Best Interactive Automobile Advertising at the 2014 One Show Automobile Advertising of the Year Awards.
