Brave Adds Its First ECD Mike Nicholson

London-based agency Brave ramps up its creative power with the hire of Mike Nicholson to the role of Executive Creative Director. The appointment of the former number 1 English Creative in the GUNN Report, comes on the back of recent new client wins such as Noddle, Hyperoptic and feelunique.com and completes the management line-up in order to deliver the agency’s ambitious goals for 2016.

In his new role, Mike will strengthen Brave’s promise of ‘Courage counts’ and will be helping clients to de-risk the creative decision-making process. This core value is evidenced The Bravery Index, a biometrics tool exclusive to the agency, which measures true emotions and, ultimately, the effectiveness of ads.

Mike brings over 20 years of international experience to Brave’s growing business. He has worked for the cream of the creative industry around the world, holding positions at TBWA, M&C Saatchi, The Viral Factory, Wieden + Kennedy (in London and Amsterdam) and adam&eveDDB.   In Mike’s previous role as Executive Creative Director at The&Partnership in Canada, he specialised in digital and design. Prior to this, Mike headed-up multiple projects for Google around the world in his role as ECD of Toaster.

Mike has worked for global brands such as Google, YouTube, Guinness, PepsiCo, Absolut, Four Seasons, Adidas, The Economist, Volvo, BBC News, VW, TESCO, PlayStation, Pernod Ricard, MTV and Coke.  His work has been awarded over 130 times by major international festivals and his motivation comes from creating famous work that people like and share. 

Mike Nicholson adds: "Brave has all the potential to thrive as a progressive agency and, most importantly, it has the people who can make this happen. It’s all about doing great work without any fear or politics."

Ash Bendelow, Managing Director, Brave, comments: "Mike's appointment represents a significant step forward for Brave and our ambition. His pedigree and portfolio read like a chapter from advertising’s greatest hits.  However, it was the instant meeting of minds on how he sees the shape-shifting evolution of this industry that really convinced us he is the right man to drive our creative vision.”