BBDO Guerrero/Proximity Manila lures Tony Harris out of RKCR/Y&R as their new CEO

BBDO Guerrero/Proximity Philippines has recruited Tony Harris, the deputy chairman of RKCR/Y&R in London as its new chief executive officer.

Harris has an impressive track record in the UK. He joined Publicis London from University and moved on to BMP DDB, where over a period of less than five years he rose to the level of board director. For the past 12 years he has played a key role in the outstanding success of RKCR Y&R. During this time the agency has grown to be the third largest in the UK and the most successful British creative agency in the 2010 global Gunn Report.

He replaces Paul Roebuck who resigned to relocate to Singapore as the CEO of the Singapore and Malaysian Saatchi & Saatchi offices effective January.

Harris has worked on a wealth of international and domestic clients; helping develop acclaimed work for Virgin, Lloyds TSB Bank, Danone, Budweiser, Xerox and most notably for the UK Government. Aside from regularly featuring in Campaign’s ‘Most influential’ list he was, just a few weeks ago, named by the magazine as one of London’s top 10 account men.

Says David Guerrero, chairman and chief creative officer of BBDO Guerrero / Proximity Philippines: “We want to push for the best work in the world. And to do that we need the top-level thinking that Tony can bring to the agency. His experience and track record leave us in no doubt that this will be a fantastically productive partnership. And the entire team is thrilled that he’s coming on board.”

Says Harris: “Whilst the welcome I received in Manila left me in no doubt as to the excitement and vibrancy that this move can bring me personally, it was the astonishing strength of the work and collaborative nature of David and his team that ultimately drew me to this opportunity. I was in no doubt that their integrated work was not just at the top of its game in the Philippines or indeed, the region, but was truly world-class. Whether you’re from Manchester, Moscow or indeed Manila, everybody in our business wants to be involved with great talent, producing famous creative work and put simply, that’s what I’m most looking forward to.”

Says Chris Thomas, chairman and CEO of BBDO/Proximity Asia Pacific: “We are fortunate in BBDO to have great creative offices throughout the region but undoubtedly our office in the Philippines is one of our real jewels. We are delighted that Tony has seen the opportunity that the team in Manila is creating and he will bring further expertise to an already highly-respected line-up.”