In its role as global creative agency for Ford, BBDO has brought in industry veterans Alex Booker and Philip Sicklinger to serve as executive creative directors on the business in North America. They will be based in New York, but split time between New York and Detroit. They were most recently group creative directors at MullenLowe U.S.

Said David Lubars, chief creative officer, BBDO Worldwide, “This is a pivotal and exciting moment for Ford and, indeed, the automotive industry. Things have to be looked at differently and done differently. Which means everyone we invite in to the agency to work on Ford has to have a wide open mind, a wide open aperture, where new platforms and new solutions rule the day.  Alex and Phil have proven to be these type of thinkers.”

Booker and Sicklinger have been creative partners for more than a decade, going back to their days at M&C Saatchi in Australia.  Over the years, they’ve also worked together at BMF, BBH in New York and, most recently, at MullenLowe, on businesses ranging from the retailer Aldi in Australia to PlayStation, E*Trade, Tap King and more in the U.S.  Their portfolio of award-winning work includes Clios, D&AD Pencils, Lions, One Show Pencils, Effies and prominent regional festivals such as Spikes Asia, AdFest and AWARD.

They start at BBDO this month and join a creative team led by Lauren Connolly, EVP and global executive creative director, to whom they will report.

“Alex and Philip are an immensely talented team that will bring innovative storytelling and meaningful experiences to build the iconic Ford oval,” said Connolly. “And while their work speaks for itself, the people who have worked with them speak to the type of leaders they are —passionate, smart, inspiring and charismatic — which really does make them the perfectly balanced team. And a perfect fit for ours.”