Our people

The future, faster.

As part of our commitment to inclusion across the full spectrum of diversity, and as an employer of choice, AKQA desires to be a leading creative and professional services firm for the attraction, promotion and retention of women, people of colour and under-represented groups.

We recognise a series of actions needs to be taken to advance equity, equality, representation, and actively address any issues faced that may hinder career growth, promotion and retention. Through a series of company-wide, industry and recruitment initiatives, we are ensuring a greater pipeline of diverse talent at all levels, while also hiring and promoting more women and people of colour into senior positions. Our parent company, WPP, is among the top 10 performers in the FTSE UK gender diversity report.

Our New York team has created When I’m With Her – exploring the many dimensions of the incredible women across the AKQA global network.

This work to actively highlight role models and encourage our people to progress into leadership roles is ongoing, and includes the stories below.

Ajaz Ahmed amend (1)
Ajaz Ahmed

Pioneering innovation

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed spoke with Lord Ed Vaizey on Times Radio. He shared his first entrepreneurial ventures to his latest philanthropic initiatives.

Laura Maness 2
Laura Maness

Dynamic leader joins as Grey Global CEO

Grey announced the appointment of Laura Maness as Global Chief Executive Officer. Laura will build on Grey’s international capabilities and bring people together across the network.

Johnny Shu portrait
Shu Hung and Johnny Budden

Recognise, honour and celebrate

AKQA has promoted Shu Hung and Johnny Budden to Chief Creative Officer, joining Peter Lund, Diego Machado, and Hugo Viega. The newly appointed leaders share a wealth of experience.

Nobuhiro Arai
Nobuhiro Arai

Redefining the future

AKQA welcomes award-winning Nobuhiro Arai as Executive Creative Director for Tokyo. Nobuhiro will lead the studio’s creative endeavours, focusing on driving innovation for clients in Japan.

Diego Machado
Diego Machado

Keep it simple

CCO AKQA Diego Machado features in AdAge to share his learnings and insights as president for the Cannes Lions 2024 Innovation Lions jury.

Gemma Redgrave
Gemma Redgrave

The Role of Social Good

Marketing Director AKQA Gemma Redgrave features on LBB sharing insights on this year’s Future Lions. She highlights their “commitment to creativity driven by authentic social action.”

Sam Rowlands and Grace O-Brien
Sam Rowlands and Grace O'Brien

Women break barriers

Senior Art Director AKQA Amsterdam Sam Rowlands and Creative Director AKQA Amsterdam Grace O’Brien spoke with The Purse Podcast about Pink Chip.

Andrew Missingham
Andrew Missingham

Welcome Andrew Missingham

AKQA North America appoints Andrew Missingham as Executive Director of Consumer Insights. Andrew will shape AKQA’s strategies to align with evolving cultural trends.

Hugo Diego copy
Hugo Veiga and Diego Machado

Remarkable journey

AKQA’s CCO’s Hugo Veiga and Diego Machado share insight on the power of authenticity and purpose in attracting exceptional clients and talent on the CPO Playbook podcast.

Conrad Persons
Conrad Persons

Conrad Persons, Grey London President

On his appointment, Conrad commented: “I am honoured and excited to join the dynamic team at Grey London. Together, we will continue to push boundaries and create exceptional work.”

Kai Heuser
Kai Heuser

Welcome Kai

AKQA introduces Kai Heuser as Executive Creative Director to the Berlin studio. Kai brings his strategic thinking and creative expertise to lead brand experiences for clients in Germany and beyond.

Diego Machado
Diego Machado

Best of the future

CCO AKQA Diego Machado spoke with LBB as the Jury President of the Cannes Lions Innovation category. “If creativity is thinking about the new, innovation is actually doing the new.”

Tesa headshot 1
Tesa Aragones

Overcoming barriers

President AKQA North America Tesa Aragones spoke with the Let’s Talk About... podcast. Tesa shares her dedication to curiosity, innovation and consumer centricity.

Ajaz 1280 x 837
Ajaz Ahmed

Changing Course

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed features on BBC Radio 5 Wake Up to Money. Ajaz discusses apprenticeships, entrepreneurs, Future Lions and AI.

Cannes Lion-1280x837
Luciana Cani, Thiago Cruz, Diego Medvedocky and Marty Martinez

Cannes Lions jury

Creatives across the AKQA family have been invited to participate in the Cannes Lions awarding jury. Celebrating creative excellence in the industry.

luciana-cani-2024
Luciana Cani

Maximising potential

ECD AKQA Portland Luciana Cani spoke with imagens de marca about how good leaders should not “allow their expectations to be guided exclusively by role definition.”

Eduardo Nose
Eduardo Nosé

Shorty Awards jury

Associate Creative Director AKQA Los Angeles Eduardo Nosé has been appointed as a juror for the 16th Annual Shorty Awards, celebrating the best work across digital and social.

Tesa headshot 1
Tesa Aragones

Confidence, strength and hope

President AKQA North America Tesa Aragones featured on Campaign US. She highlights P&G’s The Name and its powerful narrative to inspire “collective action toward greater inclusivity.”

Ajaz 1280 x 837
Ajaz Ahmed

Building a unicorn

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed is interviewed by Boardwave. He highlights AKQA’s success down to the “phenomenal people and commitment they have to our values.”

Diego Machado
Diego Machado

Cannes Award jury

CCO AKQA Diego Machado has been appointed the role of prestigious Cannes Lions Jury President for Innovation Lions, celebrating the most groundbreaking technologies.

Tayla Maria weekly 1280x837 v3
Talya Pulver-Lindqvist and Maria Parsons

WARC Awards jury

Group Brand Director AKQA Sweden Talya Pulver-Lindqvist and Head of Strategy Maria Parsons Grey Qatar join the jury to award strategic effectiveness and brilliance.

Jabari Hearn Headshot (1) (1)
Jabari Hearn

Intention and authenticity

Managing Partner AKQA Los Angeles Jabari Hearn features on the Purpose Podcast, speaking about his experiences during his early career and the importance of mentorship.

Haley Hammerling headshot
Haley Hammerling

Transforming with AI

Senior PR Director AKQA Haley Hammerling spoke with Adweek about PR predictions. She said: “AI continues to enhance our strategies without overshadowing human ingenuity.”

Ajaz 1280 x 837
Ajaz Ahmed

Passion for innovation

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed features on Campaign Chemistry. He highlights the Apple Vision Pro, Future Lions 2024 and shares his immense pride for Grey.

CherishBailey
Cherish Bailey

Kindness and authenticity

Director of Growth AKQA Atlanta studio Cherish Bailey spoke with Muse by Clio about her experiences of leading and managing brand initiatives and her creative inspirations.

Tesa headshot 1
Tesa Aragones

Growth and leadership

President AKQA North America Tesa Aragones speaks with Renegades, a series spotlighting Asian Pacific leaders about Cannes Lions, AI and the future of marketing.

Brian Vella
Brian Vella

Getting out of your comfort zone

Managing Partner AKQA Brian Vella joins the Words From Gippsland podcast to share inspiring serendipitous moments that marked his journey to AKQA.

I AM-Frame 12

Portraits of Black Excellence

Discover I AM, a portrait series that spotlights the diverse and multi-dimensional people within our community. Conceived by AKQA Roots in celebration of Black History Month.

Ajaz 1280 x 837
Ajaz Ahmed

Forefront of the revolution

FoST Explorers Club invited CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed to discuss the success of AI and recent technological advancements such as the Apple Vision Pro.

tim devine 720 copy
Tim Devine

Who gets to decide?

Executive Innovation Director AKQA AUNZ Tim Devine shared his perspectives at SXSW Sydney: “Certain things about AI make it more accessible than any other sort of technology.”

Luiza Baffa
Luiza Baffa

Building legacy

JR Trade interviews Managing Director AKQA São Paulo Luiza Baffa about new initiatives and award winning work. “We’re launching AKQA Katana, which is 100% focused on design.”

Tesa - Adcolor
Tesa Aragones

Positivity and passion

President AKQA North America Tesa Aragones’s spoke at the ADCOLOR Awards to share her experience charting fresh territory in a demanding industry and divided world.

Elias Karam
Elias Karam

Timelessly true

Strategy Director Grey Dubai Elias Karam shares with Campaign what it takes to build a company anchored in truth: “Every brand has the potential to become culturally relevant.”

Ajaz 1280 x 837
Ajaz Ahmed

Discipline and organisation

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed spoke with Management Today highlighting how “the best organisations counterbalance creativity and experimentation with operational excellence.”

Tesa headshot 1
Tesa Aragones

Solving problems

AKQA President, North America Tesa Aragones spoke at the Forbes CMO Summit this week. The creative community’s global leaders shared what industry experience has taught them.

Ajaz Ahmed amend
Ajaz Ahmed

Flourish and bloom

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed joins the LBC Money podcast, sharing that “we work very hard on nurturing a culture that can thrive and continue to be entrepreneurial.”

Laura Minton
Laura Minton

Be brave

Senior Producer AKQA Laura Minton joins LBB for a vibrant conversation about her journey into production, pioneering new creative technologies, and her most inspiring moments on set.

Diego Machado
Diego Machado

The unexpected turn

CCO AKQA Diego Machado joins El Martínez podcast to talk about how AKQA’s diversity led to the global creative work for Netflix and why he wakes up happy on a rainy Monday morning.

BAFTA copy
Ajaz Ahmed

Fast forward to 2033

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed spoke at the Boardwave Live conference at BAFTA’s HQ. Ajaz spoke about AKQA’s growth and his entrepreneurial journey.

Ros Horner 1
Ros Horner

Culture of innovation

Executive Design Director AKQA Australia Ros Horner speaks with Campaign Asia about the potential for AI: “We should invest in creative humans alongside creative technology.”

Kristin Goto and Jon Freshwater copy 2
Kristin Goto and Jon Freshwater

AKQA San Francisco promotions

Kristin Goto appointed Managing Director and Jon Freshwater promoted to Director of Client Services. “I feel honoured to continue with our clients to solve tomorrow’s challenges.”

Ajaz 1280 x 837
Ajaz Ahmed

Square Mile and Me

AKQA CEO and Founder Ajaz Ahmed travels down memory lane with City A.M and discusses the dynamic epicentre of London, the incredible melting pot of culture and modernity.

Umberto
Umberto Basso

W3A Forum

Managing Director AKQA Italy Umberto Basso spoke at the Web3 Alliance Forum in Milan, discussing AI, the metaverse and blockchain.

Tesa headshot 1
Tesa Aragones

Live at Cannes

AKQA President, North America Tesa Aragones joined Adweek Podcast to reflect on Cannes 2023 and how marketers can action conversations surrounding AI, inclusion and sustainability.

Z Z
Zampa & Zaro

Infusing values

Creative Directors AKQA Bloom Zampa & Zaro speak to DesignRush about utilising creativity to shape a better future, from their unique perspective on brand impact.

cannes lions
AKQA and Grey

Cannes Lions

Six employees across AKQA and Grey have been invited to participate in the prestigious jury, selected to shortlist world-class creative work alongside other global experts.

Michelle Lassman
Michelle Lassman

The Gails Awards

Head of Creative AKQA San Francisco Michelle Lassman joins the jury. The awards recognise innovation in the industry, donating 100% of its proceeds to support women’s rights.

tim devine
Tim Devine

Cannes in Cairns Chronicle

Executive Innovation Director AKQA Melbourne Tim Devine spoke at Cannes in Cairns, presenting a perspective on the complexities of AI and diverse representation.

Ajaz 1280 x 837
Ajaz Ahmed

Entrepreneurial spirit

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed is named in The Business Report’s Top 50 Business Leaders of San Francisco. For his achievements in leading AKQA and his philanthropic work.

Johnny-Budden
Johnny Budden

The age of Alsthetics

Executive Creative Director AKQA London Johnny Budden speaks with Shots about the countless possibilities of using AI to add creativity to work.

Tesa
Tesa Aragones

The spirit of heritage

AKQA President, North America Tesa Aragones spoke to New York Stock Exchange TV about the global impact of inspiring future leaders.

Shu Hung-2
Shu Hung

Two minutes with Shu Hung

ECD AKQA Los Angeles Shu Hung spoke with Muse by Clio on creative inspirations: “I was obsessed with Roald Dahl. I couldn’t believe someone could have so many incredible story ideas.”

image copy 2.1 (1)
Ajaz Ahmed and Tesa Aragones

AI’s creative revolution

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed and President, North America AKQA Tesa Aragones spoke with Fast Company about how AI could unlock a new wave of imaginative expression.

Shu and Graham 2
Shu Hung and Graham Drew

Endless possibilities

ECD AKQA Los Angeles Shu Hung and CCO Grey Malaysia Graham Drew join the jury at The Drum Chip Shop Awards, selected to judge creativity without limits.

Ajaz 1280 x 837
Ajaz Ahmed

The Decent Leader

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed speaks with Fearless Creative Leadership podcast about tenets of decency: “the most successful people are often the ones who help others succeed.”

Ryan Fox Headshot.1
Ryan Fox

Creative process

Senior Account Director AKQA New York Ryan Fox comments to LBB on the potential that AI gives teams to work more collaboratively and intelligently across the lifecycle of a project.

Tesa A100
Tesa Aragones

Gold House A100

President, North America AKQA Tesa Aragones has been named as an A100 honouree, celebrated as one of the most impactful Asian Pacific leaders.

Umberto Basso and Nicolas Le Pallec
Umberto Basso and Nicolas Le Pallec

Future proof e-commerce

Managing Director AKQA Italy Umberto Basso and Executive Technology Director Europe AKQA Nicolas Le Pallec presented leveraging AI and 3D at a MACH Alliance event.

luxury-brand-identifiers-voguebus-photographer-month-22-story copy
Ajaz Ahmed

Luxury’s new brand identifiers

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed talks with Vogue Business about the visual signatures of fashion houses to cultivate universal recognition and customer loyalty.

Ajaz Ahmed
Ajaz Ahmed

Courage to care

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed speaks to the University of Bath School of Management: “AKQA is a vehicle for channelling entrepreneurial and creative energy.”

Tesa headshot 1
Tesa Aragones

AI influencing skills

President, North America AKQA Tesa Aragones commented on increasing teams using AI tools, Tesa said: “Using the technology and the data actually helps us to be more creative.”

Gemma Redgrave
Gemma Redgrave

Sustainability at Cannes Lions

Marketing Director AKQA Gemma Redgrave spoke with Adweek about Cannes Lions taking sustainability and DEI data into account for award submissions in 2023.

Ajaz 2018
Ajaz Ahmed

A ripple effect

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed speaks to Thought Economics about the power of creative industries for good and learnings from working with some of the world’s greatest brands.

Shu Hung
Shu Hung

Inner library child

ECD AKQA Los Angeles Shu Hung speaks with LBB about her creative process. Shu said: “Creativity is part of our experience and manifests in different ways. It’s innate.”

ThreeHeadshots.001
Francisca Maass, Peter Lund and Hugo Veiga

Clio jury

President and Chief Creative Officer Grey Francisca Maass is joining the Audio jury. AKQA Global Chief Creative Officers Peter Lund and Hugo Veiga join the Design and Digital juries.

TK
Taraka TK Tennakoon

Creative communication

Associate Creative Director AKQA Dubai Taraka TK Tennakoon discussed the debate surrounding AI art with Venture Beat. Sharing insights on how this may impact the creative industry.

erika
Erika Reyes

Type Directors Club

Amplifying the undeniable power of type design, Senior Art Director AKQA Erika Reyes has been selected for the TDC69 Annual Competition’s Typography jury.

Ajaz page headshot
Ajaz Ahmed

Solving problems

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed speaks to Mumbrella about the excitement and optimism of AI, Ajaz commented: “We see these tools as a co-pilot for creativity.”

Tesa
Tesa Aragones

Doing different

President, North America AKQA Tesa Aragones spoke at the Forbes CMO Summit about growth, and whether marketing is compatible with ensuring a healthier planet and future.

Shu Hung
Shu Hung

New ECD of AKQA Los Angeles

AKQA has appointed Shu Hung as Executive Creative Director in Los Angeles. “I’ve been a long-time admirer of AKQA and collaborated with them in the past on career-defining projects.”

Ikigai
Tesa Aragones

Finding your ikigai for a purposeful life

President, North America AKQA Tesa Aragones speaks to Adweek about the Japanese concept, ikigai, sharing four aspects for finding purpose and being motivated.

AKQA-04C
Paul Ostryzniuk

The great overlap

Group Creative Director AKQA London Paul Ostryzniuk explores how the metaverse provides a new landscape of undiscovered rewards and risks.

Luiza Baffa
Luiza Baffa

Forbes 30 under 30

AKQA’s São Paulo Managing Director Luiza Baffa has been named on the Forbes Brazil 30 under 30 list of 2021. The list honours the most promising young people in Brazil.

Ed and Jay
Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby

Our job is to give a dopamine hit

The duo behind Barber Osgerby speak to the Financial Times about why their prolific output is all a question of collaboration and how they work on the scarier side of challenging.

Ajaz
Ajaz Ahmed

Driving Good

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed spoke at Media Telecom & Beyond, discussing the role that agencies play in brand building in a digital world.

Jabari Hearn Headshot (1) (1)
Jabari Hearn

Jabari Hearn appointed Managing Partner

AKQA has further strengthened its leadership team by appointing former Nike and Google executive Jabari Hearn as North America Managing Partner.

Tesa headshot 1
Tesa Aragones

AKQA appoints Tesa Aragones as President, North America

Tesa will oversee studios in the U.S. in this new role, defining strategy and expanding the client base, identifing opportunities and synergies to work closely with AKQA’s international team.

VERONICA WIWH
When I’m With Her

Stories of dimension

For International Women’s Day 2021 When I’m With Her celebrates women’s stories across AKQA by depicting moments where they express their fullest selves.

Jason Allen art
Taraka Tennakoon

Always curious about craft

Associate Creative Director AKQA Dubai Taraka Tennakoon speaks to Muse By Clio about the ongoing debate around Artifical Intelligence art.

Ajaz Weekly
Ajaz Ahmed

Leading by example

CEO and Founder AKQA Ajaz Ahmed joins the Raconteur panel discussion to share his views on the leadership behaviours that foster good relationships.

Sarah headshot
Sarah Cunningham

AKQA North America leadership

AKQA has promoted Sarah Cunningham to Director of Client Services in AKQA’s New York studio. Sarah will help lead the studio, its partnerships and client collaborations.

Hideaki Hara
Hideaki Hara

Navigating inclusion

General Manager AKQA Tokyo Hideaki Hara speaks with Campaign Asia-Pacific about navigating through male allyship in Japan and creating equal workplaces for all genders.

plant a seed
Paula Santana

Plant a seed

Impact Lead AKQA São Paulo Paula Santana speaks at Maxi Mídia. Paula discusses how the message of sustainability can count on creativity and innovation to reverberate.

holly and ajaz
Ajaz Ahmed

Holly Branson interviews Ajaz Ahmed

Ajaz Ahmed joined the 100% Human At Work panel with Chief Purpose and Vision Officer Virgin Group Holly Branson, discussing five ways to build and prioritise a flourishing team.

Ajaz page headshot
Ajaz Ahmed

Beyond the CV

Ajaz Ahmed joined The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for a live stream discussion, providing insight into what employers are looking for when recruiting.

adci
Francesco Bozza and Thaina Bergmann

Art Directors Club Italiano

CCO Grey Francesco Bozza and Senior Strategist AKQA Italy Thaina Bergmann have been selected to join the ADCI jury for Radio & Audio and Media.

Spears-ASV18763
Ajaz Ahmed

Spear Impact Award

Ajaz Ahmed has been honoured with the Spear’s 2022 Impact Award recognising the impact of his charitable fellowship ajaz.org.

AKQA-59-Tim-Devine-left-Brian-Vella-Right-1260x840
Brian Vella and Tim Devine

Cannes in Cairns

Managing Partner AKQA APAC Brian Vella Brian and AKQA’s Executive Innovation Director Tim Devine hosted the Creativity in Commerce panel session at Cannes in Cairns.

sarah
Sarah Cunningham

The importance of identity

Director of Client Services AKQA New York Sarah Cunningham speaks to Female Founders Breaking Boundaries podcast on the importance of women having their own lives outside of work.

Agile players
Beverney Shane and Chirag Khushalani

Agile players

AKQA’s Senior Social Executive Beverney Shane and Creative Strategist Chirag Khushalani have been recognised in Campaign’s Creative Faces to Watch.

Action Audio Kala - AKQA
Tim Devine

Inclusive immersion

Executive Innovation Director AKQA Tim Devine speaks with Inavate revolutionary spatial audio in sport. “We want to give some agency back to people who are blind or have low vision.”

Hugo-Veiga
Hugo Veiga

Making the world move forward

Global CCO AKQA Hugo Veiga as jury president of the Cannes Lions Mobile category speaks to Little Black Book about the democratic nature of mobile technology.

jay osgerby
Jay Osgerby

Loss, legacy and longevity

Universal Design Studio Co-Founder Jay Osgerby discusses his first steps into his career, the growth of Barber Osgerby and his family, with Clever podcast.

Ros Horner 1
Ros Horner

Design at heart

AKQA AUNZ is supporting young designers in a Cannes Lions competition. Executive Design Director AKQA Ros Horner features explores the new design category.

See It Be It001
Ellen Fromm and Teresa Verde Pinho

See It Be It

Senior Copywriter AKQA Amsterdam Ellen Fromm and Creative AKQA São Paulo Teresa Verde Pinho joins the Cannes Lions bespoke accelerator programme, See It Be It.

disruption2
Eric Orton

Unpredictable disruption

Executive Technology Director AKQA AUNZ Eric Orton spoke among Sitecore’s partners to share commerce predictions. Eric forecasts the blending of digital and physical experience.

Hugo Viega
Hugo Veiga

Cannes Lions Jury President

AKQA’s Global Chief Creative Officer Hugo Veiga has been appointed Cannes Lions Jury President for the Mobile Lions category, celebrating device-driven creativity.

30under30
Luiza Baffa and Yllo Pedra

30 Under 30

AKQA São Paulo studios Managing Director Luiza Baffa and Senior Creative Yllo Pedra have been recognised in Meio and Mensagem 30 Under 30 list.

ADC award
Jefferson Liu and Axel Nygards

ADC Awards jury

The ADC 101st Annual awards celebrate the very best of creativity with a focus on artistry and craftsmanship. Jefferson Liu, Axel Nygards from AKQA join as jury members.

Brian Vella-1-
Brian Vella

Predictions for the year ahead

The Australian Financial Review polled leaders about where the advertising and marketing landscape is heading. Managing Partner AKQA APAC Brian Vella shares his insights.

DTC
Romain Lartigue and Steffen Blauenfeldt Otkjaer

A one to one world

Managing Director AKQA Europe Romain Lartigue and Managing Director AKQA Denmark Steffen Blauenfeldt Otkjaer explores the evolution of direct-to-consumer strategies.

Diego Machado
Diego Machado

D&AD jury

Chief Creative Officer AKQA Diego Machado joins the Experiential jury at the D&AD Awards for 2022. The awards set a benchmark for creative excellence in design and advertising.

Arendse Hero
Arendse Rohland

Uprising

Copywriter AKQA Copenhagen Arense Rohland speaks to Little Black Book on why the best ideas are hiding in plain sight and the importance of the dinner table.

Grey Health & Wellness Expands
Morten V. Frederiksen

Grey Health & Wellness Expands

Morten V. Frederiksen, President of Grey H&W EMEA, will lead the team to grow health and wellness brands. “We will help businesses adapt to ever-evolving consumer patterns.”

Grey Group
Laura Maness, Javier Campopiano, Jason Kahner, Thiago Cruz, Alba Anthony

Grey unveils new leadership team

Laura Maness, Grey CEO, alongside Javier Campopiano, Grey CCO, appoint new hires and promotions for Grey Global and Grey New York.

tim devine
Tim Devine

Sustainable marketing

Executive Innovation Director AKQA AUNZ Tim Devine joins IAB Australia to review consumer trends and marketing approaches for sustainable products and marketplaces.

BNT-WLTECH
Alisia Muscat, Camila Acosta, Mel Huang

B&T Women Leading Tech Awards

Managing Director AKQA AUNZ Alisia Muscat hosted a panel while AKQA’s Camila Acosta, Engineering Lead was shortlisted in the engineering category, Mel Huang received the highly commended award in the design category.

Hideaki Hara
Hideaki Hara

AKQA Tokyo’s new General Manager

Hideaki Hara has been promoted to AKQA Tokyo’s new General Manager, leading the studio’s business in Japan. A Client Partner who has worked with Nike, Google, Itochu and more.

Jon Ip-U
Jon Ip

Jon Ip to lead Shanghai

Jon Ip has been appointed Managing Director for AKQA Shanghai. The move comes after three successful years of Sam Sterling’s leadership.

Johnny-Budden
Johnny Budden

The Drum’s UK Digital Agency Census

Executive Creative Director AKQA Johnny Budden speaks to the Drum about how AKQA has kept up its culture of excellence while colleagues and creatives are working apart.

5. Yo Pic 2020
Yolanda Haynesworth

Diversity and Inclusion

Executive Vice President Yolanda Haynesworth at Grey Health & Wellness joined the Adobe panel, calling upon the advertising industry for immediate action from all organisations to include a broader spectrum of race, culture and background.

Gemma Redgrave Image
Gemma Redgrave

Rising stars inspiring change

Marketing Director AKQA London Gemma Redgrave has been named in The Dots rising stars inspiring change list, spotlighted for transforming today’s industry.

SP promotions
Luiza Baffa

AKQA São Paulo leadership team

At AKQA São Paulo Luiza Baffa has been promoted to Managing Director leading the studio, its partnerships and client collaborations.

wpp equileap
Recognition

WPP named a gender equality

The Equileap Global Report assessed 3,702 publicly-listed companies across 19 gender equality criteria. Including the pay gap and policies relating to parental leave and sexual harassment

ignore the status quo-Header
AKQA Perspectives

Reasons to ignore the status quo this year

Grey Copenhagen, Potato San Francisco, AKQA Shanghai and Melbourne crowd-sourced a list of 21 emerging trends that have the potential to change our trajectory and excite us for 2021.

BiancaHeadshot
Bianca Dordea

Joins AKQA in San Francisco as Client Partner

Bianca is a marketing communications leader with over 22 years’ experience. Her multicultural and cross-functional background, working on client and agency side gives her a unique perspective.

W-BestWorkplaces
Gemma Redgrave

The best workplace for the future

After honouring AKQA as Agency of the Year, Creativepool asked Talent Partnerships Manager Gemma Redgrave, about working at AKQA and what’s expected in 2021.

W-Personalisation
Shaun Rowland

The great personalisation reset

Marketing Strategy Director Shaun Rowland, AKQA Melbourne spoke to Mi3 about why 2021 is the year for a fundamental rethink on personalisation.

W-TJ-Njozela
TJ Njozela

Grey Africa appoints Creative Director

Grey Africa welcomes TJ Njozela as Creative Director. TJ believes that the power in advertising lies in its ability to affect people on a psychological and emotional level.

grey+akqa
Diego Machado

Nurturing young creative talent

AKQA Global CCO Diego Machado spoke with The Drum about engaging junior talent during this disorienting and intensely frustrating time.

SimonJefferson picture[1]
Simon Jefferson

Accelerating trends

Managing Partner Simon Jefferson speaks to Top Interactive Agencies. On the pandemic, Simon said: “it has pushed people online to do the things they would have done offline, accelerating trends we’ve seen over the past 10 years.”

Retail and Covid-19-1
Brian Vella

Covid-19 and Retail

David Roth CEO The Store WPP EMEA and Asia recently interviewed Managing Partner Brian Vella on how retailers are increasing their digital footprint.

GOHU STILLS 4x3 0027 28-1
Hugo Veiga

All will be cool

Chief Creative Officer Hugo Veiga, released ‘Vai Ficar Fixe’, from his alter ego – Gohu. MTV said: “The coolest song from quarantine.” All profits will be donated to fight Covid-19.

Natalie Broome
Natalie Broome

WACL Future Leaders

Learning and Development Manager Natalie Broome, has been named as one of WACL’s Future Leaders 2020 award winners, Natalie will attend a Rising Women Leaders Programme.

W4W self-promotion
International Women’s Day 2020

Celebrating diversity and inclusion

For International Women’s Day studios across the AKQA family have celebrated diversity and inclusion with workshops, discussions, activities and content.

When I’m with her_hero
International Women’s Day

When I’m With Her

Our New York team has created When I’m With Her — a film that explores many dimensions of the incredible women in AKQA’s studio.

Ros Horner
Ros Horner

The value of diversity in design

Design Director, Ros Horner tells BandT why an hour in a government immigration office changed her outlook on design, most importantly – the value of diversity in design.

HugoVeiga Diego Machado
Hugo Veiga and Diego Machado

Freedom in creativity

Following their 2019 Cannes Lions success, the São Paulo duo spoke to Creativepool about their process: “We like to work with nimble teams empowered with autonomy to make decisions.”

Value of studio culture
Axel Nygårds

The value of studio culture

Creative Axel Nygårds appeared in a BBC short film about studio culture. Drawing insight from a handful of London creative studios, including AKQA, examining building and maintaining a collaborative, creative working environment.

When I’m With Her-6
International Women's Day

Today, Forever, Balance for Better

AKQA marked International Women’s Day with a host of initiatives and opportunities for employees and clients reflecting the theme of this year’s campaign, Balance for Better.

tree-of-lights-article-03-large
Ginny Golden

AKQA Tree of Lights app plants 1k trees

Group Creative Director Ginny Golden explains: “Tree of Lights shared the magic of the holidays and augmented reality to provide a gift to our planet. The idea is a powerful example of the digital world helping protect and preserve the real environment.”