Vervroegen to international CD role at Publicis – Australia’s Craig Davis appointed to world board

Erik Vervroegen, who has just left Goodby Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco – where he was president/ECD on the Commonwealth Bank of Australia account – reported exclusively by CB back in August  – has taken an international creative director role at Publicis Worldwide, specifically in charge of the global Ray-Ban business.

Vervroegen will oversee creative in all countries for Publicis Worldwide outside of France, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

In a statement from Publicis, Vervroegen will help to strengthen the creative ambitions of the third largest holding company in the world, alongside the other creative leaders across Publicis, including Olivier Altmann, Kevin Roddy and Australia’s Craig Davis (below left) – CCO at Publicis Mojo Australia and New Zealand – who have all been appointed to a newly-created creative board by Jean-Yves Naouri, executive chairman at Publicis Worldwide.

Says Naouri: “Erik’s arrival is a strong signal of our desire to bring the best talent on board and work collaboratively together with the common goal of making Publicis Worldwide one of the most creative networks in the world.”

The chair of the new board will be Arthur Sadoun, managing director at Publicis.

Meanwhile at Goodby’s, until a replacement is found, a spokesperson for the San Francisco agency told CB that creative legend Jeff Goodby will be personally looking after creative on the Commonwealth Bank business.