Howatson+Company promotes Gavin Chimes to CCO, names Richard Shaw deputy CCO

Howatson+Company has announced a new creative leadership structure, with Gavin Chimes now the Chief Creative Officer of the globally renowned independent agency. Richard Shaw has also been promoted to Deputy Chief Creative Officer.

Chimes (above left) was part of the founding team at Howatson+Company, joining at its inception in 2021. Since then, he has been ranked #6 ECD globally at D&AD, named Australian Creative of the Year and won over 100 awards including multiple Grand Prix, Gold and Yellow Pencils for work such as Matilda Bay Rejected Ales, Maurice Blackburn Exhibit A-i, 10PM Bedverts, Modibodi I’m Dying Inside, Belong Book of Limbo, Mastercard’s TOUCH and more.

This success has led Howatson+Company to be named Independent Agency of the Year at global shows including D&AD, Cannes (Good), Spikes, ANDYs, and LIA. Recently the agency was one of eight in the world make the esteemed 2024 Contagious Pioneers list.

Prior to Howatson+Company, Chimes worked at CHE Proximity, Clemenger BBDO, Marcel and Droga5, developing multiple D&AD and Cannes winning campaigns such as Tiger Beer Air-Ink, The Lion’s Share, NRMA First Saturday, Sloways and Samsung Microcodes.

Shaw (above right) joined Howatson+Company in 2022 as Executive Creative Director from CHEP, where he led Samsung, Australia’s largest integrated account in one agency. With almost 20 years’ experience, Shaw has worked across a portfolio of integrated clients at Australia’s best agencies, including Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, TBWA and DDB.

Throughout Shaw’s career, his work, and that of his creative departments, have focused on highly impactful and strategic communications, executed by any and all means possible. Whether it’s re-launching Australia’s biggest brands to the public, engaging people in a moment in time, or launching a brand from scratch, there’s no idea too big, no shape of campaign too different to solve any brief. His work has been awarded at every major global award show for its creativity, craft and effectiveness.

Says Chris Howatson, founder and CEO: “Gav’s promotion is in recognition of his leadership and creative excellence, but most especially his tenacity in always seeking the best outcome for our clients. No brief is too small. No objective too challenging. Gav is a true believer of effectiveness as the strategy, creativity as the solution. I’m very proud to have him lead the creative product of our fabulous agency as CCO.

“Similarly, Rich’s promotion is in recognition of his uncompromising commitment to our clients with creativity always as the answer. He is a calm, guiding hand, regardless how complex the conditions. And an exceptional people leader. I couldn’t be more proud of Gav and Rich and confident in our future.”

Says Chimes and Shaw: “It’s been a privilege helping build something extraordinary over the last few years. Yet it’s only the start. We look forward to continuing H+CO’s trajectory, working with wonderful people and clients to make the best work in the world.”