Huge, a global experience agency, part of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), announced that industry vet Ben Skelsey has been appointed to the role of Group Vice President. Effective Jan 13, Skelsey will report to Martin Riley, Managing Director of Huge APAC. In this new role, Skelsey will be responsible for leading the agency’s SK-II account globally, continuing to drive the high quality of work across all offices and in partnership with clients.
“Ben is a proven leader with a passion for powerful work and a feel for the future,” said Riley. “He brings clear strategic thinking and vast client leadership across all channels and capabilities, and we look forward to bringing his expertise to Huge to further drive our work in the year ahead.”
Skelsey commented, “The quality and craft of Huge’s work is impressive. They’re leading the way in total brand experience. From all of my conversations with the team, it was clear that the people and culture are something special. I am thrilled to join such a talented family.”
Skelsey comes to Huge from Ogilvy UK where he spent over a year as Managing Partner, serving as a business lead for the agency (and parent company WPP) on WalgreensBootsAlliance (WBA). During this time, he was responsible for orchestrating creative communications and marketing campaigns for the iconic UK brand, Boots, as well as the international company, WBA, across multiple channels. In this role, Skelsey jointly led a team of over 150 people which he helped build from the ground up, integrating the agency’s creative services, PR, content, and publishing and media services across all disciplines. The work for WBA received two Influencer Marketing Awards for the Boots' integrated beauty campaigns, as well as a Drum Social Buzz Award for the brand’s socially-led CRM program.
Prior to Ogilvy UK, Skelsey worked at OgilvyOne Worldwide as an International Business Director on the global American Express account, overseeing product positioning, customer engagement and strategy for the brand’s markets outside of America. Most notably, he helped to develop, produce and launch three successful global platforms for AmEx’s Platinum, Gold and Centurion product portfolios. Prior to that, he was Head of Client Services at Targetbase Claydon Heeley, as well as an Account Director at Ogilvy Melbourne & DTDigital (now AKQA).
Throughout his 15-year career, Skelsey has worked on a range of leading brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, Lend Lease, Metalicus, Three Mobile UK, Samaritans, Royal Mail & Post Office, Which, Selftrade and more.
