John Merrifield departs top creative role at TBWA

TBWA did not elaborate on the reason for Merrifield’s departure. Keith Smith, the agency’s president international, noted that Merrifield had “created some iconic work and helped raise TBWA’s profile across the region”.

“On behalf of all of us at TBWA, I want to thank John for his contribution and wish him the best in the future,” Smith said.

Merrifield described TBWA as having been “a fantastic place to hang one’s hat” and said he was looking forward to taking time out to surf.

Merrifield, who has been described as the ‘Don Draper of Asia’ by the Wall Street Journal, began his career with TBWA in Japan in 2003 as chief creative officer. He achieved fame in the creative industry for the ‘Impossible Sprint’ campaign for Adidas, and took on his regional role in 2006.

A spokesperson from TBWA said the position would not be replaced.