BBDO Health has hired former Havas Lynx top creative Jon Chapman as its first ever chief creative officer. Chapman will join the senior management team at BBDO and will work out of the agency’s New York office, reporting into David Lubars and Kirsten Flanik.
In the newly created role, Chapman will be responsible for overseeing the creative product across the agency’s health specialties, including diagnostics, oncology and aesthetics, among other therapeutic areas. In addition, he will help grow the department and its creative capabilities.
Chapman joins BBDO after over a decade at Havas Lynx Group in the U.K. As chief creative officer, he helped develop and grow the agency and steered work for clients such as ViiV Healthcare, Novartis and Sanofi. He established the creative vision for the agency and inspired and developed creative teams, as well as directing sub-agencies and growing business units within Havas Lynx Group.
“The chance to join BBDO, with their exceptional creative reputation, and to do it in the health space is something that was not only hugely appealing, but an incredible opportunity I couldn’t refuse. I bring experience to build on the great work and be part of the team to help create something special—and hopefully make a difference while we do it,” Chapman told Adweek, adding that he has long admired BBDO’s creative ambitions.
Chapman has worked on global campaigns and local initiatives including disease awareness, patient activation, brand launches and social programs—across multiple therapy areas for various multinational pharmaceutical companies as well as smaller health-tech start-ups around the world.
“Jon’s history of creating effective solutions for his clients is unmatched. He has a sharp, strategic point of view and is the future-facing, analytical creative leader we need to take our health department to the next level,” Flanik, president and CEO, BBDO New York, said in a statement.
“The idea behind BBDO Health has always been to empower patients. Jon has a unique and highly thoughtful empathy for patients combined with the discipline of data-driven insights and analysis. He’s an inspiring leader who’s going to build on the great work we’re already doing,” added Lubars, global chief creative officer, BBDO Worldwide.