Ben Williams

Ben Williams (Benjamin)

Global Chief Creative Experience Officer at TBWA\Worldwide
New York, Stati Uniti

Riassunto

Ben Williams is an award-winning creative with 20+ years of experience in design and innovation.Currently, as SVP Head of Experience at R/GA, Ben drives the creative output for digital product, service, and experience initiatives. In his role, Ben leads teams of strategists, designers, and writers to deliver world-class experience strategy, concept development, and creative execution for some of the world's most recognizable brands. Through his work, Ben continually hones processes and ways of working conducive to innovative work that resonates in culture, redefines categories and sets new standards. During his tenure at R/GA, Ben has partnered with a wide range of clients including those aforementioned as well as American Express, Verizon, Equinox, and Samsung. In addition to being recognized at award shows including Cannes, D&AD, The Clios, The One Show and The Webbys, Ben has been featured in a number global publications, judged a variety of award shows and spoken on stage at some of the most well-known industry events include Cannes, SXSW and Advertising Week in New York. Prior to joining R/GA, Ben was Creative Director at Publicis. And previous to that, Ben was a Senior Art Director at AKQA. Before moving to the US from Australia, Ben partnered with agencies large and small before founding his own design studio that represented brands such as Ford, Yellow Pages, Toyota, Kraft, Subaru, Quiksilver, and Sneaker Freaker magazine. In what now feels like a previous life, Ben spent 10 years leading the design and execution of various digital experiences for the biggest touring music festival in the world — Big Day Out.

Sector Experience

Positions

Global Chief Creative Experience Officer
Global
January 2022 - Present (2 anni 2 mesi)
Global chief experience officer
New York, Stati Uniti
August 2020 - December 2021 (1 anno 4 mesi)
SVP ECD Head of Creative
New York, Stati Uniti
November 2018 - August 2020 (1 anno 9 mesi)
As SVP ECD Head of Creative, Ben leads the creative team at R/GA New York.Leading teams of creative directors, visual & experience designers, experience strategists and writers, Ben is overseeing the office's creative output and building a culture of innovation that delivers world class concept development, design and execution.In his time at R/GA, Ben has been instrumental across a number of projects for Nike, Jordan and Converse, leading the charge across Nike+ FuelBand, Apple Watch Nike+, Nike+ Move, Nikeplus.com, Nike+ Running, Nike Digital Innovation, Nike Membership and most recently, A/R JordanPrior to joining R/GA, he was Creative Director at Publicis, key in the conception, design and execution of “Every Step of the Way” - Citibank’s digital and socially connected program that supports Team USA and it’s athletes.At AKQA, Ben was the creative lead across various accounts including Smirnoff and their “Nightlife Exchange Project” and Sprite’s “Spark” campaign. Additionally, Ben led a number of new business initiatives, including the concept, design and presentation of the winning pitch for Calvin Klein’s digital vision.Before moving to the US from his native Australia, Ben enjoyed a successful career at agencies large and small, including founding his own highly regarded studio, representing brands including Ford, Yellow Pages, Toyota, Kraft, Subaru, Quiksilver and Sneaker Freaker magazine.In addition to being recognized at award shows including Cannes, The Clios, The One Show and The Webbys, Ben’s work and views have appeared in a number of publications around the world and has spoken on stage at festivals such as Cannes, SXSW and Advertising Week.
VP Executive Creative Director
New York, Stati Uniti
March 2016 - November 2018 (2 anni 8 mesi)
As VP Executive Creative Director at R/GA, Ben oversees the Nike & Jordan Brand accounts, leading a team of interaction designers, visual designers and writers, across R/GA offices in Portland, New York City and Los Angeles.Ben oversees the group's creative output to build a culture of innovative concept development, design and execution. During his time at R/GA, he has played a vital role, leading a number of key projects for both Nike and Jordan, leading the creative efforts for Nike+ Running, Nike Innovation, Nike Member Services, Jordan's emoji and iMessage app, Nike+ FuelBand and most recently, the Apple Watch Nike+.With over 20 years of experience, Ben has worked as a creative lead at AKQA and Publicis in New York, spent time at agencies both large and small in his native Australia, and founded his own highly regarded studio. During that time, he's collaborated with brands from Citibank, Smirnoff, Sprite and Calvin Klein, to Ford, Toyota, Subaru, Kraft, Yellow Pages, Quiksilver and Sneaker Freaker Magazine. Ben’s work has been recognized at Cannes, The Clios, The One Show and The Webbys, and has appeared in a number of global publications.
Executive Creative Director
New York, Stati Uniti
February 2015 - March 2016 (1 anno 1 mese)
As Executive Creative Director at R/GA, Ben leads a team of interaction and visual designers, writers and developers across the Nike account, in both New York City and Portland, Oregon.While managing and guiding the group’s creative output, I am responsible for the creative vision, design and execution of a variety of work across Nike, including various Nike+ experiences and services, strategic partnerships and future digital initiatives.
Creative Director
New York, Stati Uniti
February 2012 - February 2015 (3 anni)
As Creative Director across Nike+, I led a team of creatives, developing and executing ideas across a variety of Nike Digital Sport initiatives, in particular, Nike+ FuelBand, Nike+ Running, Nike+ Move, NikePlus.com and various innovation initiatives.Most Innovative Companies - Fast Company 2014Agency A-List - AdAge 2013, 2014 see less
Associate Creative Director
New York, Stati Uniti
February 2012 - November 2012 (9 mesi)
As ACD working across Nike, I was part of the team leading creative direction across mobile & web for Nike Digital Sport including Nikeplus.com, Nike+ FuelBand, Nike+ Running, Basketball & Training.
Associate Creative Director
New York, Stati Uniti
January 2011 - February 2012 (1 anno 1 mese)
At Publicis, I was responsible for creative concepting, direction & execution of various projects for LG, General Mills, Citibank and various global and North American new business initiatives. Key projects include LG's Ultimate Jellybean Count and Citibank's sponsorship of Team USA for the 2012 Olympic Games.2012 Webby Awards / LG Ultimate Jellybean Count / Official Honoree
Senior Art Director
New York, Stati Uniti
March 2009 - January 2011 (1 anno 10 mesi)
As a Senior Art Director at AKQA, I was responsible for leading & executing creative concepts, art direction and design for a range of clients including Calvin Klein, Smirnoff, Coca-Cola, Kraft and Deloitte.Key projects include the award winning 2010 Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project, as well as leading the creative concepting and design to win the Calvin Klein business for AKQA.2011 New York Festivals / Bronze World Medal / Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project2010 Agency A-List - AdAge 2010Creative Agency of the Year - New Media Age 2010Digital Agency of the Year - Campaign 2010Most Respected Agency - New Media Age Top 100 Agencies 2010Agency of the Year - Revolution 2009, 2010Agency of the Year - IAB 2008, 2009, 2010Most Innovative Companies - Fast Company 2009, 2010Agency of the Year, Best Creative - OMMA Magazine 2009
Founder + Creative Director
StudioExit
Stati Uniti
December 2002 - June 2009 (6 anni 6 mesi)
Having founded StudioExit in late 2002, I was responsible for creative direction and execution for a broad range of clients including Subaru USA, Big Day Out, Quiksilver, Sneaker Freaker Magazine, Japan Telecom, Singapore Power and Mushroom Records.With StudioExit fast becoming a preferred supplier for a variety of agencies including Young & Rubicam, JWT, Wunderman and Publicis, I was responsible for a range of interactive campaigns for companies/brands such as Toyota, Shell, Vodafone, Ford, Kraft Foods and Yellow Pages.
Senior Art Director
Swish Group Limited
July 1999 - December 2002 (3 anni 5 mesi)
Senior art director responsible for designing and developing a wide range of creative new media solutions for a range of clients that included The Laminex Group, Country Road, Melbourne Museum, World Vision and National Australia Bank.
Art Director
Hyperlink
December 1996 - July 1999 (2 anni 7 mesi)
Interactive Design Lecturer
Chisholm Institute
February 1997 - December 1997 (10 mesi)

Education

Associate Diploma of Arts (CAAD)

1995 - 1996 (1 anno)

Similar Talent

Neil Miller
Global Chief Experience Officer
WildChild/Voodoo
Richard Ting
EVP, Global Chief Experience Officer + US Chief Creative Officer
R/GA
Mark Tutssel
Global Chief Creative Officer
Leo Burnett Worldwide - HQ, Chicago
Jon Hamm
Global Chief Creative Officer
Geometry Global
Javier Campopiano
Global Chief Creative Officer
McCann worldgroup & McCann
Hugo Veiga
Global Chief Creative Officer
AKQA, São Paulo
Neil Heymann
Global Chief Creative Officer
Accenture Song
Jim Elliott
Global Chief Creative Officer
Arnold Worldwide

Create a free Talent profile and become a member of AdForum

Get Started