Clemenger BBDO has appointed Simon Wassef as Chief Strategy and Experience Officer to expand upon the agency’s existing CX capabilities. In the senior leadership role, Wassef will lead strategy and customer experience across the Clemenger business and the remit will include growth, new business, elevation of talent and new practices the agency said.
This marks a return for Wassef who first worked at Clemenger 21 years ago as a junior account planner. He joins the agency after more than two and a half years as National Chief Strategy Officer at whiteGREY. Prior to that, he was Chief Strategy Officer at TBWA\Chiat\Day in Los Angeles. Wassef’s wealth of experience includes more than 20 years working in Europe, the US and Australia: three years at R/GA in London, three years at SID LEE in Amsterdam, plus stints at Droga5, AMV BBDO, AKQA and Host Sydney.
“Simon really is one of the best in the business; if not THE best. He’s worked everywhere I’ve ever wanted to work, R/GA London, Sid Lee Amsterdam. Chiat\Day LA. The fact he’s bringing all this experience to Clemenger is a game changer for us,” said Clemenger BBDO CEO, Dani Bassil. Wassef has worked across leading international and Australian brands, including IKEA, Qantas, adidas, Absolut, Samsung, HSBC, Red Bull, Electronic Arts, Guinness, Google, Johnnie Walker, Volvo, Panadol, Westfield, Nike and Beats By Dre.
“The experience is the brand and the fact he is so expert in both realms is exactly what we’ve needed in this leadership role. Besides being one of the smartest people I’ve met, he’s funny and kind. And he’s finally coming back to Clems. I’m so excited.”
Of his new appointment, Wassef added: “When Clemenger calls, you have to answer. Let’s go.”
Wassef’s appointment at Clemenger BBDO follows the recent appointments of Anita Zanesco to the newly created role of Chief Growth Officer and two managing partners – Georgie Winton and Anita Deutsch.
