BBDO Worldwide CEO Andrew Robertson is the youngest person ever to lead the network. On Monday 20 September, he will join Campaign editor-in-chief Atifa Silk for a live interview during which he will recount his leadership journey from CEO of AMV/ BBDO in London to the top job in New York. He will also offer his advice to the next generation of leaders.
Under Robertson's leadership since June 2004, BBDO Worldwide was named Network of the Year at Cannes Lions and in The Gunn Report for the second year in a row and is currently ranked number one in The Won Report for direct and interactive. Over the past three years, the network has been honoured as Global Agency of the Year in Ad Age, Adweek and Campaign (twice).
Armed with a degree in economics from London University, Robertson began his career in advertising as a media planner at Ogilvy & Mather. He subsequently switched to account management and was appointed to the board of Ogilvy & Mather in 1986.
Three years later in 1989, he joined J. Walter Thompson as a member of the management group in charge of the largest of five business groups. He was appointed as chief executive of WCRS in 1990.
Robertson moved to the UK in 1995 and joined Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO. Six years later he moved to BBDO North America to take charge as president and CEO.
Other highlights at Spikes Asia 2010 this year include 22 seminars and five workshops presented by industry and thought leaders from around the world. Haymarket is also gearing up to launch Campaign Asia-Pacific at the annual advertising taking place from 19 to 22 September at Suntec in Singapore.
Click here to access the full festival programme.