Publicis Groupe UK Promotes David Hackworthy to Chief Strategy Officer

Publicis Groupe UK has announced that David Hackworthy, Saatchi & Saatchi’s global chief strategy officer, has been promoted to the newly created role of chief strategy officer, Publicis Groupe UK, in addition to his existing remit.

The appointment signifies Publicis Groupe's commitment to the strength and breadth of its successful Power of One offering to clients, and comes after a raft of new business in recent months including BT, McCormick, Nivea, 3, Macmillan Cancer Support, Old El Paso, Intersnack, DHL Europe, GSK and E.ON.

In his new role, David will be charged with helping clients unlock new ways to grow. He will work with Publicis Groupe UK CEO, Annette King to help lead the Publicis Groupe UK’s Power of One model and will work closely with chief creative officer Ben Mooge to help further power creativity.

David is an industry leader and has spent equal periods of his working life in Australia, USA and UK. He started his career client-side and has since worked in senior strategy roles for TBWA Chiat/Day, DDB, Fallon, Saatchi & Saatchi and also founded The Red Brick Road in London. He has been instrumental in the success of many international brands including Skittles, Cadbury, Absolut, Heineken, Visa and ŠKODA.

David’s appointment follows other hires from last year including Publicis Groupe UK’s chief creative officer Ben Mooge, and chief production officer Clare Donald, further solidifying the country model.

Annette King, Publicis Groupe UK CEO, commented: "David is one of the leading strategists in our industry. He has been instrumental in some of our recent Power of One pitches and I know his experience will be invaluable in helping further grow our client’s businesses.”

David Hackworthy, CSO of Publicis Groupe UK, added: "My first creative director gave me some simple advice when I left Australia. He said ‘bite off as much as you can and keep chewing’ so being challenged to drive growth and creativity across the whole of Publicis Groupe in the UK is something I am looking forward to getting my teeth into.”

David joins the Publicis Groupe UK ComEx team immediately, reporting to Annette King.