David George, the highly-regarded ex-creative director of McCann Erickson Manchester, is joining Tucker Clarke-Williams Creative to head up the firm’s creative department. George, who over the years has worked throughout the world for clients such as American Express, Pantene and Stella Artois, will join the agency this month.
Speaking to Adline, agency head, Hugh Clarke-Williams, said: \"He has an open brief to build up the company. He has complete freedom to do whatever it takes.\"
George quit McCanns 12 months ago to set up his own consultancy – George – after holding the senior creative position at the agency since 1998. Speaking at the time, George, commented: \"I wanted to get back to actually working on creative projects on a day-to-day basis rather than overseeing the whole process and feeling a bit removed from it all.\"
However, a year later and George is back in the agency fold. Commenting on how the appointment came about, Clarke-Williams, said: \"It was sort of a six of one, half a dozen of the other situation. It’s true that David approached us, but we had put the story out that we were looking for someone.\"
After 18 years in business, TCW is operating in Stockport following a lengthy stint in Manchester. In September, the agency was dealt a blow when creative duo Paul Heaton and Lee Baxter left to join Viv’id as creative director and senior designer. However, George’s appointment will be judged as a major scoop for the firm.
As part of his open brief, George is expected to make changes within his department. Clarke-Williams confirmed: \"We have picked up some new business, which I can’t really talk about just yet and David’s appointment isn’t the only change taking place to the creative department, although again, I can’t really say too much about that at the moment.\"
Earlier in the year, TCW identified sustaining a high level of creativity, continued company growth and awareness building as key targets for the rest of the year. George’s role is likely to embrace these objectives.