James Daniels joins Ogilvy & Mather to lead creative on Unilever business across Asia

James Daniels is joining Ogilvy & Mather as Regional Executive Creative Director for Unilever. He was most recently the Executive Creative Director and shareholder of Euro RSCG Johannesburg and Euro RSCG 4D, which he joined in 2007. He moves to Singapore in January 2011. Daniels will be responsible for the Ogilvy creative product on Unilever across Asia.

Commenting on his appointment, Eugene Cheong, Regional Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific said: “James is a rock star. He is one of South Africa’s finest and he completes the creative rejuvenation of Ogilvy Singapore. Not only will he be the creative lead on the all-important Unilever business, he will also be a very important part of the creative management of the Ogilvy Group in Singapore.”

“With 18 years of experience in handling brands both global and local, James has the right credentials and the much needed creative maturity and leadership the role demands,” said Giri Jadhav, Regional Director, Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific/Unilever Asia Pacific. “He is passionate about creating ‘great work that works’ and will be instrumental in sharpening the thinking of the Unilever teams. His multi-faceted skills will come in handy in driving integrated communications on all the Unilever brands.”

Daniels has previously worked in the Ogilvy network.

“I spent four years in Ogilvy in Johannesburg and found the agency to be made up of people constantly striving for better. Borders cannot destroy a culture and I believe Ogilvy Singapore will offer me a similar experience. Ideas are the only currency in advertising, not matter which part of the globe you are in. I look forward to delivering results through creative campaigns based on good ideas with the Unilever team,” said Daniels

David Mayo, President, Ogilvy & Mather (Advertising) Asia Pacific, said they were lucky to have Daniels joining the network: “James is a rare find, he knows exactly how to create integrated work at the highest level for the most demanding clients. He is also a grown up with a proven track record in generating effectiveness through creativity.”

Daniels haswon awards at major award shows like D&AD, Cannes, Loeries, The One Show, CLIOS and London International Awards. In 2010 he was invited to judge Cannes for the Promotion and Activation Category. Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific recently picked up a Silver award at the IPA Effectiveness Awards for “Andy & Lily in Clothworld”, the campaign for Comfort Fabric Softener, a Unilever brand.