After 11 years as a global ECD at J Walter Thompson New York Aussie expat Sarah Barclay to take break from the industry
After 11 years as a global ECD at J Walter Thompson New York, joining in May 2008, Aussie expat Sarah Barclay is taking a break from the industry, soon returning to Byron Bay.
Barclay has created award-winning work for clients around the world. Known for brave thinking and solving difficult problems, she’s turned brands around and made them famous. Born in the UK, raised in Australia and a New York native for nearly 20 years, she is a true global citizen.
At J Walter Thompson she worked on Johnson & Johnson, Cadbury’s Trident, Bubalicious and Halls, and was global ECD on Schick. Before joining in May 2008 Barclay spent five years at Saatchi & Saatchi New York as the Global CD on Ariel and Dash.
Prior to going to the States, Barclay was a senior creative at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne and before that The Campaign Palace, Melbourne. She is best known for co-creating three of the all-time greatest Australian commercials: Antz Pantz ‘Sic em Rex’, Milk ‘Legendary Milkman’ and Yellow Pages ‘Not Happy Jan’.
6 Comments
14 years ago I took a ‘break from the industry’ and I haven’t looked back. Except when I look at Campaign Brief daily.
I just ate a Kit Kat
A break well earned.
Sarah Barclay did not break any glass ceiling as a woman, no ceiling could ever hold in a brilliant creative individual, regardless of gender. Then she goes to the US, to become the Global Creative Chief of JWT. But nice to see some comments from old CDs and a cynic. Sarah Barclay should be the first woman inducted into Australia’s Advertising Hall of Fame. Not because of her gender, because of her genius. She changed things. Let’s celebrate her.
Sarah was never just ‘One of the girls’, but she was clearly a woman.
She was never ‘One of the boys’ either, but she knew how to relate to them.
Sarah ran her her own race and created – brilliantly – what she thought was right. And she normally was.
This big nasty game isn’t fuelled by gender. Even though the male of the species hijacked the power.
Advertising has always been driven by those who understand how to make an impact, and how to forge a connection with an audience.
That’s Sarah’s genius. Her considerable achievements have nothing to do with her gender. She is just bloody clever, and blessed with true confidence. Meaning, she has an unshakeable sense of who she is.
That’s why she’s an awesome role model.
Kudos, baby.
I don’t know Sarah, but I know what she’s done.
And I love what she’s doing.