AKQA promotes Shu Hung and Johnny Budden to Chief Creative Officer

Shu Hung and Johnny Budden have been promoted to Chief Creative Officer, joining Peter Lund, Diego Machado, and Hugo Viega, who were promoted in 2020.

“Our appointments recognise the enormous impact that Shu and Johnny have had as creative leaders and inspirational mentors, and their contribution to redefining the possibilities of creativity,” said AKQA’s founder and CEO, Ajaz Ahmed. “With a passion for ideas, design, technology, and story, Shu and Johnny have an exciting creative voice and the dynamism to create exceptional, jaw-dropping work.”

“The role of Chief Creative Officer at AKQA celebrates our belief in the power of imagination and our perpetual quest to encourage bold thinking, push the boundaries, contribute to culture, and embody our aspiration to create a collaborative and inspirational workplace.”

Before her new role as Chief Creative Officer, Shu Hung was Executive Creative Director of AKQA Los Angeles. With a distinguished career that includes client-side leadership roles at Nike Women, Nike Sportswear, UNIQLO, and as the founder of Table of Contents, Shu has a unique and visionary perspective. Beyond her creative acclaim, Shu is widely admired for her commitment to championing diversity initiatives, as evidenced by her pivotal role as an executive sponsor of KIN, Everlane’s AAPI Employee Resource Group.

Shu Hung said: “I am thrilled to take on the role of Global Chief Creative Officer at AKQA and am committed to connecting our work to a diversity of brand leaders and institutions in fields like art, design, and technology. We must remain at the forefront of producing beautiful, memorable, and relevant tools and communication — and that’s only possible if we’re seeing and making connections between the world we know and the world that we imagine. Through this work, we will no doubt continue to retain and attract the most inspiring talent.”

Johnny Budden, whose career spans over a decade with AKQA, brings significant experience to his new role as Chief Creative Officer across disciplines and continents. Before his promotion, Johnny was the Executive Creative Director of AKQA’s London, Sweden, and MENA studios. His journey with the agency began at AKQA Paris, where he collaborated with brands such as Red Bull, Nike, Hermés, Dior, and Chanel. Johnny then took the helm at AKQA’s New York studio, driving influential ideas for brands including Nike, NBA, Beats by Dr. Dre, Maybelline, and Converse.

Johnny has contributed to prestigious assignments, including the Multibank initiative alongside former UK Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Gordon Brown. Johnny has collaborated with legendary Hollywood director Matthew Vaughn on several projects, including the title sequence for MARV Studios. Johnny has also had the honour of developing visual identity work in collaboration with the Royal Household.

Johnny Budden said: “It is with profound honour and gratitude that I embark on this journey, guided by the wisdom of Ajaz Ahmed and alongside our esteemed team, as we venture into uncharted territories at the intersection of art and science. I firmly believe that within every human lies the ability to discern care from carelessness, and this ethos propels me forward. Our proudest achievement? Always the next project, fuelling our relentless pursuit of excellence.”