Jeff Kling has resigned as ecd of Wieden + Kennedy, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to pursue "independent creative opportunities," according to the agency.
Kling (pictured) served as ecd for the independent since 2008, but his history at the agency spanned more than a decade, as he'd worked at the Portland, Ore., headquarters and in the Holland office at various times in his career, both as a copywriter and cd.
"I love this agency and its people. I mostly love the agency because the agency is its people," said Kling. "Wieden + Kennedy generally and Amsterdam specifically have so much firepower it's unfair, and I feel massively privileged to have played among so much talent for so long."
Under Kling's leadership (a role he previously shared with John Norman, now co-CCO of The Martin Agency), the Amsterdam office created notable campaigns for Nike, including the recent "Write the Future" World Cup push, as well as for Coca-Cola, Electronic Arts, Heineken, Honda, ESPN, Tanqueray and Nokia.
"Jeff is one of the most talented writers I have ever had the pleasure of working with," commented Lee Newman, managing director of W+K Amsterdam. "Jeff has been a great partner and friend, and we will surely miss his creativity, intellect and spirit."
Kling's career also includes three years as ecd of Euro RSCG, New York, where he worked on accounts such as Jaguar, Dos Equis, Uniqlo and Clearasil.
