After nine years and massive awards Asia-Pacific creative-at-large John Merrifield departs TBWA\
After nine years, TBWA\ Asia-Pacific creative-at-large, John Merrifield is leaving the network.
“Over the past decade, John has created some iconic work and has helped raise TBWA’s creative profile across the region,” says Keith Smith, TBWA\ President – International. “On behalf of all of us at TBWA, I want to thank John for his contribution and wish him best in the future.”
Says Merrifield: “TBWA is a fantastic place to hang one’s hat and what an honour it has been to work with the likes of Lee Clow, John Hunt and all the brilliant creatives we have in Asia Pacific.
“But you know what? It may just be the perfect time to get wet for a while. I have a feeling the surf’s going to be epic in 2012.”
Merrifield began his career at TBWA\ Japan in 2003, where he was chief creative officer and joined TBWA\ Asia Pacific in 2006 as creative-at-large, based in Singapore.
Merrifield will not be replaced in the role creative-at-large at TBWA\.
14 Comments
JM is a legend and a pleasure to work with. I learned so much from him every time we spoke. Great work comes from passion.
Is it a coincidence that 2 prominent networks have just lost their regional creative directors? Im sure a few other CEOs are asking themselves (and their CFOs asking them)…what exactly do regional cds do besides attending cannes, hiring cds who wont ever stand up to them and stirring up troops to do scamarama ads and pocketing 400K USD a year?
400k is that all?
You left out the torture of jet lag from zipping from one award show to another. Long stints away from their respective ball & chain. Facing relentless competition from young Turks . Getting no respect from the regional CEOs & CFOs. Perpetually having to kiss the boots of the global creative chief. Rarely breaking the 5 year tenure at any one place…….
And finally thrown out without another job before 50 only to realize all your pals at Cannes actually hated your guts and won’t return your calls, now that you can’t help their with a job or free beer.
It’s a tough gig! And USD 400k barely makes it worthwhile.
Don’t hate them. Pity them.
If you have or want regional clients, you need regional ECDs. If not, all you have is a bunch of country ECDs all of whom want to carve out their little piece of the pie and can’t or won’t be able to look at the bigger picture. So in your mind a regional CEO is a viable job but a regional ECD isn’t?
You’re right about one thing, though. Sometimes the higher ups question what regional ECDs do. And then they get rid of them. And then they find out *exactly* how much they really did. I’m guessing that’s what going to happen to the people that got rid of Calvin and John..
5.35pm speaks like a worried regional ecd with some apprehension about his future.
Regional accts need regional ecds….in charge of and responsible for that ONE particular slice of business…not as overlords who pull in big bucks and are forever flying around only to surface when its time to review proactive work for award submissions. They certainly don’t train people or teach them their skills, they dont get their hands dirty on the work…mostly just run their own PR machine to see if they can get on to juries and seminars where they just repeat the same old advice.
Regional CEOs are responsible for pulling in new business…and if they need creative for a pitch they can just pick the most appropriate talent in their offices.
We live in tough financial times and every cent needs accounting. Clients are sick of seeing a regional ecd who makes 3 times what they do and shows up in a mtg twice a year, says some worthless stuff about pushing the envelope and leaves.
Global ecds set the networks creative agenda and are still seen as useful. I support their role because to a large extent they chart out internal creative communications. Although, who knows when that might change.
it’s not about the job title, it’s about who does the job.
In this case JM (as 10.50 called him) was the exact opposite of stereotype.
He built partnerships with regional clients, created the conditions for the best work to happen and generously shared the credit.
So while there may be regional and even local ecds who fly in and crap all over everything I don’t think he was one of them.
The nub of the comments is longer about JM but the value add of regional ECDs who aren’t tied to the business success of a global client.
From the complimentary posts here, it would seem that JM is one righteous dude.
So what have learnt here boys & girls?
1- leave it to the professionals when putting out a PR release on a job exit, make it bullet proof so it doesn’t get spun into an ‘own goal’.
2- if you want only good comments, errr… go elsewhere.
3- karma’s a bitch. so play nice when you are on top.
He waits…
Tick becomes tock becomes
why isnt me phone ringing
But while we’re waiting
Creatures of the sea
from this moment on Im abolishing all titles
You will all be known henceforth as….seabiscuits
No titles for anyone except ME
No hierarcy, no organisation, no authority
Except ME
Hey is that a wave?
No its a giant white plastic bag floating on the sea
@ prof
You have described my job to a tee, except on 2 / 5 the money. Heck, that’s everyone’s job.
@Prof 2.0
When you write that regional CDs don’t train people or teach them their skills it becomes pretty clear that you’ve never worked with John, and perhaps haven’t even met him.
You’re a legend John, TBWA will regret having you in competition. Looks to me like they’re struggling and while they’re moving talent on, will continue to struggle.
9 years is a long time. John had a good run.
Ripping work doesn’t count for talent.