cummins&partners will launch a new Sydney office in January 2015, having been appointed as Vodafone’s new creative agency after an extensive competitive pitch.
Set to launch on 5.1.15, the agency have also confirmed their first major hire in New York native, Kimberly Bartkowski, who will take on a newly created national role as digital creative director.
Kim is a proven digital thought leader on a global scale, having set up and led the DIGITAS North America mobile practice as group creative director. Whilst at Digitas she led the global work for Delta and AMEX and helped win the $90 million dollar Comcast account.
Kim then left Digitas for group creative director roles at Arnold and then Publicis Kaplan Thaler, helping them develop their digital chops.
Chris Jeffares, cummins&partners managing director said, “We are stoked to have Kim join us, as the competition for elite digital talent is fierce – especially in mobile. She is a true modern creative and is a fantastic team builder, both of which are essential to our growth plans. Kim’s skills will be instrumental in helping us develop action orientated communications that drive behaviour change.”
“As we’re a proudly independent and entrepreneurial business, her deep experience in start-ups will really help drive that start-up innovation and energy. It’s a great match”.
Kim is passionate about the next generation of talent and works with students at the School of Visual Arts as an advisor and speaker on the Designer as Entrepreneur master’s program and author on User-Centered Design.
Of the appointment Kim said, “Mobile is fundamentally changing the way we connect, so it’s incredibly exciting to be working with cummins&partners and Vodafone on shaping the future of mobile and digital culture”.
“I believe that ideas need to be engaging and interactive … both mentally and physically. Put something out there that’s thought provoking and people will respond and participate. That’s why brand experiences are a richer way to touch people. This really aligned with the C&P approach and agency model. I’m looking forward to creating some magic and having fun in Sydney,” she added.