Laurent Simon and Justin Pahl
Laurent Simon is leaving his post as BBC Creative’s executive creative director to join VMLY&R London.
As chief creative officer, he will report to Justin Pahl, CEO of VMLY&R London. He’ll also work closely with EMEA chief creative officer Jaime Mandelbaum.
Simon will be responsible for the agency’s creative vision and output across the UK market. Leading a 35-person creative department, he’ll work across the agency’s client portfolio, which includes Danone, Nestlé and others.
“I’ve known Laurent for years, and he is, if not the best, one of the very best in London and possibly the world,” Pahl said in a statement. “He’s bright, engaging, consistently pushing boundaries, and also happens to be a thoroughly lovely chap. So, I am beyond excited to have him join us on this brilliant endeavour.”
Prior to his role at the BBC’s in-house creative shop, Simon served as a creative director at adam&eveDDB, where he helped create the agency’s award-winning ‘The Bear & the Hare’ Christmas ad for retailer John Lewis.
He’s also held roles at agencies including AMV BBDO and BBH London throughout his career.
“I leave the BBC with the satisfaction of having built one of the best creative floors in London and ready for my next challenge,” Simon said in a statement. “I couldn’t think of better people to embark on this new adventure with. We can create something very special and unique for our people and our clients.”
Earlier this year, VMLY&R London’s executive creative director Harsh Kapadia moved over to the agency’s New York office for family reasons.