James McGrath

Clemenger BBDO Melbourne named Agency of the the Year at Cannes Lions 2017, taking home a record 56 Lions. The first time any Australian agency has received that honour.

D&AD Agency of the Year.

Clemenger BBDO Melbourne is proudly been nominated as one of Contagious Pioneers List 2017, 'Best and Bravest' Agency in the World (number two position to be precise.

In the ten years he has been with Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, James has transformed the agency’s creative reputation on a global scale and it is now ranked consistently in the top ten agencies in the world; including The Directory Big Won report, number One Australian Agency and Eighth globally, Mashies Number One Agency Globally, BestAds Number Four globally, Gunn Report #Three Digital Agency, Campaign Brief Agency of the Year five years in a row, B&T Interactive Agency of the Year and Asian Marketing Effectiveness Awards most awarded Agency for the past four years.

James has won more than 500 creative awards in his career but it is the balance between creativity and effectiveness that lies at the heart of his driving principal of Applied Creativity. He has guided campaigns such as Bonds "Look after your Boys" (Silver at Cannes, and Gold at Spikes), Snickers "Hungerithm" (Grand Prix and Gold, Spikes) Carlton Draught “Beer Chase” (Gold at Cannes, Spikes), NAB “Breakup” (Grand Prix at Cannes), Four ‘n’ Twenty’s “Magic Salad Plate” (Gold at Cannes), Australian Guide Dogs “Support Scent” (Gold at Cannes), Carlton Draught “Slo Mo” (Gold at Cannes, Spikes). These accolades amount to over 50 Cannes Lions, over 60 Spikes, and multiple awards at globally recognized shows such as D&AD, One Show and the Facebook Studio awards.

To that end, James has led the agency to win the title of Most Effective Agency numerous times. He is ranked as one of the Top Ten Creative Officers in the world and is regularly asked to judge international award shows, including as jury foreman at D&AD and Cannes Lions.