Truant Hires St Luke’s Joanna Barnett as Strategy Director

Independent creative agency Truant has today announced the appointment of Joanna Barnett as its strategy director to lead on an exciting chapter for the agency and to help drive its accelerated growth journey.

Joanna joins from St Luke’s where she has spent two and a half years and had previously held strategy positions at The Mix London and Wunderman Thompson (now VML). She’s been the lead strategist for South Western Railway’s ‘Spread Your Wings’ integrated campaign, designed to nudge people back onto trains in the aftermath of the pandemic. Her work on HSBC’s Shelter campaign and brand campaign for HSBC India have also received accolades from industry press, plus several creative and strategy awards.

In her new role at Truant, Joanna will lead developing brand strategies for clients including PizzaExpress, Royal Caribbean and PepsiCo, and will report to Truant London’s head of strategy, Don Larotonda.

Truant is making the move twelve months after placing 1st in Campaigns Best Places to Work and being ranked once again in the Top 50 creative agencies. Wholly independent, the agency has built its reputation on bringing maximum attention to brands through advertising and music.

Truant’s head of strategy, Don Larotonda, said, “We’re in a period of incredible momentum and, as we look to grow in 2024, it’s vital that we have the very best thinkers in the business to run at the challenges our client partners face. I’m delighted that Joanna has chosen to join us and take on the brilliant new challenge that awaits her at Truant.”

Joanna Barnett added, “I was instantly attracted to Truant’s rebellious nature which seeks to grow brands by pushing creative boundaries. And with an agency ethos that is rooted in music and culture it is the perfect fit for my passions and interests both inside the office and out. I’m very excited to join such a talented team and am looking forward to bringing my experience in brand and creative strategy to my new role.”