Gual Barwell joins Innocean Australia as new chief strategy officer

Innocean Australia has appointed Gual Barwell as its new chief strategy officer, as it continues to strengthen its integrated communications offering.

In his new role, Barwell (right) will head up the strategic discipline across the agency, providing leadership across business, creative, communications, digital and social strategy.

Barwell has more than 17 years’ experience as an integrated planner, both in Australia and abroad. He has recently returned from a five-year stint in the U.S., where he was SVP – group planning director at DDB Chicago and before that, global strategy director at JWT New York.

In Australia, he was REBORN’s head of strategy establishing its strategic function and significantly contributing to the agency’s growth. Before that he was a senior creative strategist at digital communications agency Holler, and also established the APAC footprint of UK creative consultancy Contagious Communications.

Barwell has worked on integrated strategy for brands including Nestle, Listerine, Audi, Gruppo Campari, Diageo and more.

Says Jasmin Bedir (centre), CEO, Innocean: “We’ve rebuilt Innocean into an integrated communications offering and executive creative director Wez Hawes (left) and I needed someone with diverse experience who could lead the strategy function across the entire agency, including CX and digital. Gual has the skills and the experience to fulfil this role – he has a proven track record of delivering bold brand-thinking through a multitude of consumer touchpoints. We’re excited for him to join our team and helping us take the agency to the next level.”

Says Barwell: “I was looking for a team that was equally passionate, competent, ambitious, and driven. I was Initially drawn to the infectious energy of Jas and Wez who have built an agency with true technical and creative depth – whilst imbuing a start-up verve. I’ve been blown away by how strongly this ethos is lived by every person in the business. I can’t wait to help support our clients in achieving their goals, whilst continuing to build on the formidable strategic and creative know how the business has.”

Barwell’s appointment is effective immediately.