Y&R Hires Its First North American Executive Creative Director Away From Grey New York

He will report to chief creative officer Leslie Sims and work to help manage both the network’s creative work and its new business efforts across the continent.

“João’s creative spirit is absolutely infectious,” said Sims in a statement on the hiring news. “He’s been the force behind ideas that have become part of culture and have truly engaged and touched people all over the world. We are so happy to welcome him on board as we strengthen our creative leadership in North America.”

Coutinho started his career in his native Portugal and most recently served as group creative director at Grey New York, where he worked on such accounts as Volvo, P&G and Canon.