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Today is a sad day for W+K and for me because the tallest man in China – and our MD – Kel Hook, leaves us.
Kel has been at W+K Shanghai since before it officially started – way back in 2005 – and has been pivotal in leading the company ever since, first as planning director and then as our managing director.
However, after 12 years of China craziness and 6 years of W+K highs, lows, magical madness and all manner of mayhem, he’s decided to move on … starting off, as you do, with a 3 month holiday in Costa Rica.
Bastard!
It’s an exciting time for him – especially as he just got married – however on a personal note, I’m very sad to see him go.
I’ve known Kel for about 5 years and he was – along with Nick Barham – instrumental in getting me to join the Wieden gang and for that I will always be eternally grateful for his faith, support, encouragement and – let’s face it – patience, ha!
Saying that, I don’t mind admitting that I will feel a hell of a lot safer going on business trips, because he had an amazing ability to ensure any trip with him was liberally infused with weirdness, danger, delayed/cancelled flights and immigration issues.
That aside, he’s a top man [for an Australian] who genuinely gives a shit about people, so as much as we’re all very happy and excited that the wonderful Jason White is returning to Shanghai to take over as MD after his time running NIKE globally, it’s still a sad day for us all … so to Kel, thank you for everything you’ve done both personally and professionally and you can consider yourself one of the pioneers of bringing genuine commercial creativity to the land of commercial communism.
Have a blast.
Bye matey!
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so let me get this right.
you join w+k and the 2 main fuckers who brought you in move the fuck out? i thought nick going to portland was an extreme fucking move but leaving the place altofuckingether? then you are a fucking annoying prick to work with so it makes sense.
Comment by andy@cynic September 22, 2011 @ 6:23 amYep, that just about sums things up nicely.
Comment by Rob September 22, 2011 @ 10:35 amhe was in commie land for 12 fucking years? and he leaves after 1 year with you. who needs fucking nukes when youve got campbell.
Comment by andy@cynic September 22, 2011 @ 6:26 amA peaceful war weapon…
Today the US sent Rob Campbell into North Korea, Kim Jong Il surrendered unconditionally 5 hours later.
Comment by Rob Mortimer September 22, 2011 @ 10:27 pmnice aussie dig though. theres still something worth liking about you campbell. not fucking much, but more than most would ever fucking expect from you.
Comment by andy@cynic September 22, 2011 @ 6:28 amLet’s face it, slagging off the Aussies is way too easy – but it doesn’t make it any less rewarding. Ha.
Comment by Rob September 22, 2011 @ 10:36 amCosta Rica? He better know someone there or he’s going to turn up dead on a beach. Still better than working with you I guess.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 22, 2011 @ 6:32 amThat’s a nice photo of you and Kel at the top of this post.
Comment by DH September 22, 2011 @ 6:38 amyou evil fucking genius.
Comment by andy@cynic September 22, 2011 @ 7:22 amBastard.
Comment by Rob September 22, 2011 @ 10:37 amYou sound like you want to fuck him. No wonder he ran away.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 22, 2011 @ 11:49 amI’m putting your puerile comment down to tiredness Billy – though we both know I’m being exceedingly generous with that.
Comment by Rob September 22, 2011 @ 2:33 pmIt’s lovely you obviously care about the guy. How rare is it in this business for people to really care about their boss?
Comment by Northern September 22, 2011 @ 6:18 pmTBWA was never the same for me when the chief exec I joined for buggered off (even worse when I got him his new gig)
getting the boss you like a new job? twat.
Comment by andy@cynic September 22, 2011 @ 11:41 pmgetting the boss you like a new job and not having him take you with him? stupid twat mixed with a using bastard.