Arnold Worldwide Names Sean Thompson Managing Partner, Global Executive Creative Director for Team Volvo

BOSTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Arnold Worldwide is thrilled to announce that Sean Thompson will join the agency's soon-to-open Amsterdam office. In this newly created position, Thompson will serve the dual role of managing partner, global executive creative director of Team Volvo, as well as managing partner and executive creative director of Arnold Amsterdam.

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Thompson is one of the world's most award-winning creative directors with two decades of experience. Effective October 4, Thompson will lead global creative duties for Team Volvo, responsible for building and galvanizing teams, promoting standards of creative excellence and inspiring fresh thinking across traditional and digital media. He will be based in Amsterdam and will report to Arnold Worldwide Global CEO Andrew Benett.

"Volvo is one of the world's great brands and Sean is the perfect person to lead the creative charge for Team Volvo, as well as grow our presence in the market," said Benett. "He is a creative powerhouse well known in the industry for conceiving some of the most celebrated and groundbreaking work of recent years. His work in the automotive category, in particular, set a new creative bar in the industry."

Thompson added, "The chance to set up Arnold, in the creative boom town of Amsterdam with a global brand like Volvo, is the opportunity I've been waiting for."

Since 2006, Thompson has served as creative director at 180 Amsterdam, where he was responsible for award-winning creative leadership for BMW and adidas, as well as many others. Among his accomplishments, he creatively led the team and won the pitch for the DHL global account. He is known for his media-neutral approach to brand thinking and, during his time at 180, directed films for adidas, DHL and BMW.

Prior to joining 180 Amsterdam, Thompson held the position of creative director at Wieden+Kennedy in London, where he was part of the team that created the widely acclaimed Honda "Grrr" campaign. The campaign was celebrated with many of the industry's highest honors, including the Cannes Grand Prix and Titanium Lions, two D&AD Black Pencils, the One Show's "Best in Show," the Andy's Grandy award, the Grand Clio and Adweek magazine's "Commercial of the Decade," amongst numerous others.

"Sean is a inspirational leader with expansive global brand experience. He has the consistent ability to understand a client's business and translate it into engaging and effective marketing communications," said Pete Favat, Chief Creative Officer of Arnold Worldwide. "We're excited to welcome him to Arnold Worldwide."

This announcement comes on the heels of strong momentum for Arnold Worldwide.  In July, the agency revealed plans to open its Amsterdam office in Q4 2010 as the global hub for its Volvo client. The Amsterdam expansion is part of Arnold Worldwide's strategic plan to grow its footprint and become a global, integrated micro-network. In addition, Arnold has secured an impressive string of new business wins, including Aetna, Alberto Culver (Nexxus, Noxzema and St. Ives), Atlantic Media Company, Boiron, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, CVS/pharmacy, Huntington Bank, Mike's Hard Lemonade, New Balance, Panasonic and Vertex, and enjoyed a strong award season, winning a Cannes Lions, an Andy award, two Clios and two One Show Pencils, among others.

About Arnold Worldwide
Arnold Worldwide is a global communications company and one of the top five most creatively awarded agencies of the past decade. We are proud to represent a diverse portfolio of clients, including Aetna, Alberto Culver, Amtrak, Carnival Cruise Lines, CVS/pharmacy, Fidelity Investments, The Hershey Company, Huntington Bank, Jack Daniel's, McDonald's, New Balance, Ocean Spray, Panasonic, Pearle Vision, Progressive, Southern Comfort, Titleist, truth®, Tyson, Vertex, Volvo and many other great brands. Arnold delivers services across all communication touch points -- advertising, digital, promotions, direct, design, branded content -- and is part of Havas Worldwide with offices in Boston, New York, Washington DC, Toronto, London, Amsterdam, Prague, Milan, Madrid, Moscow, Lisbon, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Shanghai. www.arnoldworldwide.com

SOURCE Arnold Worldwide