We are proud to announce the appointment of Toby Gunton to the new board-level position of head of innovation. Joining the agency in September this year, Gunton will report directly into Hamid Habib and Rian Shah, the newly-appointed Managing Partners of strategy at OMD UK, who will join the agency in August this year.
Gunton will be charged with driving innovation across the agency to ensure that clients benefit from new technology solutions and emerging platforms. Working with Carl Read, head of digital at OMD UK, Gunton will also aid OMD UK’s strategic digital approach, integrating paid, owned and earned media to drive business growth for clients.
Gunton joins from WCRS where he has been chief digital officer for the last 18 months and instrumental in shaping the agency’s approach to ensure that new platforms and technologies are integral to solving client briefs. The agency’s recent ‘Blind Eye’ ad campaign for Women’s Aid, which utilised 3D cinematic technology, is testament to this new approach – it was the only UK shortlist in the ‘Public Awareness Message’ category at the Cannes Lions Awards this year.
Of the appointment, Dan Clays, Managing Director says, “Coming from a creative shop, Toby brings a completely new background to the agency; operating across the paid, owned and earned spectrum with a brilliant grasp of the impact technology can have for media and brands.
He will drive innovation across the agency as well as identifying new communications possibilities for clients and media owners. He’s also a top bloke who will fly at OMD UK.”innovation
