Partner Article

OLIVER strengthens creative team with three senior hires

In-house specialist OLIVER UK is strengthening its creative team with three senior hires: Keith Gray joins as senior art director, David Brown as senior copywriter, and Nigel Webb as head of copy.

All three will work across key accounts and will report to OLIVER’s creative director, Kevin Bratley.

Gray and Brown join as a creative duo - they met while working at direct marketing agency Craik Jones in 2004. Since then, they have worked on integrated communications for a number of top agencies including Kitcatt Nohr, Rapp and, most recently, Proximity. Accumulating almost 45 years’ worth of work between them, they’ve overseen both B2B and B2C campaigns for the likes of Land Rover, Virgin Trains, Oxfam and more.

Webb started his copywriting career almost three decades ago at Publicis. From there, he progressed through various creative roles before landing at Wunderman in 2011, where he was creative director and head of copy for seven years. He oversaw Wunderman’s News UK work, which was the agency’s most awarded account at the time. His work has been recognised at all the major award ceremonies, including D&AD, Cannes Lions, Campaign Big Awards and the DMAAs.

Kevin Bratley, creative director at OLIVER UK, says: “Following the hire of Jade and Lee Trott as art director and copywriter earlier in the year, this latest hire further bolsters OLIVER’s creative credentials. We’ve proven that in-housing can unlock clients’ creativity, and Keith, David and Nigel’s collective experience is unrivaled. I look forward to seeing the work they produce within our clients’ offices.”

Keith Gray, senior art director at OLIVER UK, adds: “David and I have accumulated a wealth of creative experience across everything from charity to finance brands including Nationwide and Lloyds Banking Group. We’re looking forward to bringing this in-house and immersing ourselves in our clients’ worlds.”

David Brown, senior copywriter at OLIVER UK, says: “We’re keen to challenge people’s preconceptions. The in-house model is seen as effective both in terms of cost and manpower, but not enough is said about its creative capabilities. We’re here to change that.”

Nigel Webb, head of copy at OLIVER UK, says: “OLIVER has an impressive roster of clients, and a mine of stellar creative to match. I can’t wait to get started.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Alex Sampson .