Iris Worldwide hires global chief creative officer

Iris Worldwide has appointed Menno Kluin, chief creative officer at Ogilvy New York, as global chief creative officer. 

Kluin will replace Grant Hunter after 20 years at the Cheil-owned creative shop. Kluin will report to Ian Millner, co-founder and chair of Iris Worldwide.

He will also work closely with Ben Essen, global chief strategy officer, Eduardo Maruri, global creative chair, Leigh Armstrong, executive vice-president of global growth and marketing director, and Benita Meswania, global chief people officer. 

Currently based in New York, he will relocate to Iris’ headquarters in London to take up the role. 

During his two years at Ogilvy New York, Kluin was responsible for the creative output of a range of global and regional clients, including Ikea, Nestlé, Nationwide and Samsung. 

Prior to Ogilvy New York, he was US chief creative officer at Dentsu International, leading creative efforts for agencies including DentsuMB and Isobar. He also spent time as chief creative officer at 360i, executive creative director at Deutsch, and executive creative director at DDB.

Kluin was named US Creative Person of the Year by Campaign in 2022. He has worked in the US for 20 years as well as earlier stints in Germany and Sweden.

Kluin’s new role will maintain a strong focus on the US market, despite his relocation to the UK. At Iris, he will have the task of elevating Iris' creative product while expanding its global social- and digital-first offering.

Millner said: "Menno is only the fourth global chief creative officer we’ve had in our 25-year history, following some incredible creative minds who have each shaped Iris in their own way. 

“Sean Reynolds was ahead of his time in understanding the transformative power of digital and design. Shaun McIlrath brought big strategic thinking that helped us build integrated relationships with major clients. Grant Hunter created culturally powered ideas that could travel across markets.”

Millner added: “Menno brings a blend of all these qualities—strategic thinking, digital-first innovation and a deep understanding of culture. As the industry faces ongoing challenges of 'doom, gloom, and Zoom', we believe now is the time for participation powered by creativity, innovation, and originality. 

“These are the elements that clients can’t create on their own, and Menno’s leadership will be key in delivering this for them."

Kluin’s appointment follows a series of recent senior creative hires, including Maruri, former president and chief executive of Grey Europe, who became global creative chair in June, and Katy Hopkins, creative director at House 337, who joined as executive creative director of Iris London last month. Accenture Song’s Zoe Eagle was also appointed as chief executive of Iris London. 

Eagle joins in November and replaces Claire Humphris, co-founder and chief executive of Iris, who is leaving after 25 years at the agency. 

Kluin said: "Iris is at a pivotal moment in its evolution, with renewed energy and focus rooted in its original vision from 25 years ago, when the founders set out to challenge how things were done and to do things differently. 

“For me, this is the opportunity to build something I’ve wanted to do since the height of 360i—a truly progressive global creative network that is creative, nimble, and simply exciting to work at: experimental, collaborative, and willing to take chances. Combined with a refreshing entrepreneurial, people-first philosophy, I couldn’t be more excited about this."