Jeremy Craigen to Step Down as Innocean's Global CCO

It’s a tough time for the auto industry, with environmental concerns and huge shifts in car ownership habits causing huge disruption. And so, after four years at the helm of the Hyundai-owned Innocean, in which he built up the agency brand’s creative talent and awards success, global chief creative officer Jeremy Craigen is set to depart.

The news comes as Innocean is to re-organise its marketing, sales and advertising strategy on a more regional level. 

“I’m sad to be leaving Innocean. I’ve really enjoyed my four years here, putting them on the creative map globally, bringing in amazing talent into the network and making new friends around the world and experiencing different cultures. I know I’ve left it in a healthier position, creatively, than when I first arrived. I have laid the foundations for a serious creative network. And I feel the best is yet to come. I wish them well,” says Jeremy.

Jeremy was brought into the Korean agency network by industry legend Bob Isherwood, Innocean’s Worldwide Creative Advisor, who left in 2017. In his time leading Innocean’s creative, Jeremy set up the agency’s Berlin office and turned it into the network’s European creative hub. He’s also helped the network grow its roster of clients beyond simply Hyundai – in 2018 it won Heineken USA and in May 2019 it picked up Sony Europe as a client. In 2017 he helped the network snare DDB’s Steve Jackson to head up the Australian office. 

 In four years Jeremy has also turned the network’s awards fortune around. This year the agency’s Seoul office earned 34 finalists at New York Festivals and Innocean picked up the Grand Lotus in Design at this year’s Adfest. In 2018, the Berlin office won Gold at Epica for El Magicko. The network has also won a clutch of Cannes Lions, Clios and LIAs in recent years. 

Before joining Innocean, Jeremy was at DDB for 25 years where he was known for his VW work in particular, including campaigns like VW Night Drive. Originally from Kent, Jeremy joined the ad industry after realising that a career as an actor wasn’t for him. During his seven-year tenure as the sole ECD at DDB UK, he took the agency to the top of the Gunn Report twice. When DDB UK merged with Adam&Eve, Jeremy went on to become the lead creative on the network’s global VW business.

Innocean said “We deeply express our appreciation for Jeremy’s contribution to the development of the Innocean brand and wish him best for the future”