Ogilvy hires multi award-winning chief creative in Singapore

Back joins from his position as executive creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney after three years with the agency. He will relocate with him family from Sydney to Singapore to take up his new position in January 2011. 

Back's departure is a further hit for Saatchis in the region, following the loss of several large clients in Australia, including David Jones and Lion Nathan. Meanwhile in Singapore, Saatchis has had to deal with the loss of Tiger Beer and Singapore Navy as well as the departure of Singapore and Malaysia CEO Dean Taylor. 

In his new position, Back will report to Ogilvy Singapore chairman Stephen Mangham and Ogilvy APAC regional executive creative director Eugene Cheong. 

Cheong said they have been waiting for six months to fill the role. "Singapore is our most famous office and our super-hub. We wanted a big man to be its creative chief. At six foot six, Steve more than fit the bill," he added.

Ogilvy APAC president David Mayo added, "We hope to have more announcements of Steve's size over the coming months in several markets around the region."

Back, who refers to his new role as "an irresistible opportunity to join an agency at the top of its game", was in charge of Toyota's 'Nothing soft gets in' campaign which won five Gold Lions at Cannes for Saatchi & Saatchi Australia this year. The campaign also scooped three Spikes awards.

Brands under Ogilvy Singapore's current remit include IBM, Unilever, SingTel, Coca-Cola, Rolex, Amex, Kodak and CIMB.