Simon Wassef returns from TBWA/Chiat/Day L.A. to join whiteGREY as chief strategy officer

whiteGREY has today announced the appointment of Simon Wassef as chief strategy officer.

Wassef will lead the strategy offering at whiteGREY, partnering with clients to drive business and brand strategy that delivers transformation and growth.

Wassef has returned to Australia having worked at some of the world’s best agencies.

Most recently, he was chief strategy officer at TBWA/Chiat/Day Los Angeles where he built its consulting, content and connections strategy teams. Prior to that, he was the executive strategy director at R/GA London, Campaign Magazine’s Innovation Agency of the Decade.

In Australia and abroad, his experience includes leading business and creative strategy for IKEA, Cadbury, adidas, Absolut, Samsung, Red Bull, Turkcell, Microsoft, Emirates Airline, Electronic Arts, Guinness, Google, Johnnie Walker, VW, The GRAMMYs, Nike and Beats By Dre.

He has won the Grand EFFIE for the RMS ‘Pinkie’ campaign, APG Gold for Beats By Dre, Jay Chiat Gold for Turkcell and has also been awarded at D&AD, AWARD, Cannes Lions, and David Ogilvy.

whiteGREY Australia chief executive officer, Lee Simpson said he was looking forward to Wassef joining at an exciting time for the agency: “Simon is a superb strategic leader and a truly modern thinker who combines global experience and local knowledge – having spent 10 years of his career in Australia. He will not only build on our strong effectiveness story but elevate all of our output.”

In May 2018, whiteGREY launched a new strategy. It has since become a Top Ten Agency in the Pacific (Cannes Creativity Report), received recognition at the Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards and most recently won the Grand Prix for Effective Innovation at the 2020 Global WARC Awards.

Wassef’s appointment follows James Keeler’s move from chief strategy officer to chief experience officer at whiteGREY. Wassef will work closely with Nathan Rogers who will continue his role as head of strategy in Melbourne.

Says Wassef: “whiteGREY is scarily ambitious. And our clients expect it. Let’s go.”