The Martin Agency Hires John Norman as New Chief Creative Officer
RICHMOND, VA., DECEMBER 7, 2009. John Norman, currently executive creative director at Wieden+Kennedy’s Amsterdam office, will be the new chief creative officer at The Martin Agency. Mike Hughes, president of the agency, made the announcement today.
“Despite the recession that’s hurting so many agencies these days, The Martin Agency is having its best year ever — financially and creatively,” said Hughes, the agency’s longtime creative leader. “We feel incredibly fortunate that while so many of our competitors are shrinking, we’re growing — and adding one of the most impressive young talents in our industry today to the top ranks of our leadership team.”
In his two stints at W+K, Norman created notable work for Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Nike, Tanqueray Gin, Electronic Arts, Nokia, Heineken and Honda. His Happiness Factory commercial for Coke is one of the top award-winning ads of all time.
Norman, who’ll join the agency in February, will share the CCO title with Hughes during his first year at the agency. “I’m not going anywhere,” said Hughes. “I’m planning to remain as president of the agency for as long as our clients will put up with me. And I’ll stay in the creative department as long as John wants me there.
“That said, all of our creative directors, writers and art directors will report up to John from his first day at the agency.”
According to Norman, “It’s been an incredible experience working with the talented international team at Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam.
“Making the decision to leave was not easy, but I could not pass up the opportunity to work alongside Mike Hughes and John Adams at one of the best agencies in the U.S.
“I have long been inspired by The Martin Agency’s creative output, their commitment to excellence and legendary environment of respect. I look forward to making my own creative mark on this already phenomenal team.”
Norman, 43, a native Texan, has been a graphic designer for Nike in Oregon, a design director for Benetton in Treviso, Italy, and a director for Benetton’s famed Fabrica creative laboratory. As a group creative director at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco, he helped develop the acclaimed “+HP” campaign (with its unforgettable “Picture Book” TV spots) for Hewlett-Packard.
“John combines strategizing, conceptual thinking, digital thinking and design in a way that every agency on earth wants to emulate,” said agency CEO John Adams. “You can see in him the future of the industry.”
“John’s joining us at a great time,” added Hughes. “We’re getting a lot of attention these days for our work and for the success our clients are having. John’s whole mission will be to make that work even stronger.”
John and his wife Dee have four children, ranging in age from 7 to 14. He’s an avid cyclist and nanotechnology buff.
Hughes joined the agency in 1978. Harry Jacobs, the agency’s Hall of Fame creative leader at that time, put him in charge of the department in 1981. Jacobs, who still maintains an office at the agency, officially retired in 1997.
ABOUT THE MARTIN AGENCY: Headquartered in Richmond, Va., and with offices in New York and Seattle, The Martin Agency is a full-service agency offering unified advertising, strategic planning, media, direct response, interactive, data analytics and branded content. Clients include BFGoodrich, Discover Financial, Expedia, GEICO, Hanes, PING, the American Cancer Society, Walmart and ESPN’s X Games.
Contact: Dean Jarrett 804-698-8806, dean.jarrett@martinagency.com