Abdul Wahid Ovaice Joins Huge as Global Executive Creative Director

Rhea-AI Summary

Huge, part of Interpublic (IPG), has appointed Abdul Wahid Ovaice as the Global Executive Creative Director for its Google account. Ovaice, who brings over 20 years of experience from leading tech companies, will oversee creative design across 10 of Huge’s 13 offices. His past roles include Executive Creative Director at Oura and significant contributions to Apple, Facebook, and PayPal. This leadership change follows the recent appointment of Mat Baxter as Global CEO and aims to enhance Huge's creative output for Google.

Positive

• Abdul Wahid Ovaice brings over 20 years of experience in leading creative roles for major tech companies.
• Huge's partnership with Google includes innovative product launches and rebranding efforts.
• Ovaice's appointment comes as part of a broader leadership restructure aiming to unify the agency's creative approach.

Negative

• None.

Ovaice brings over 20 years of extensive creative experience to this role leading creative outputs for the global Google account at Huge, having previously led initiatives across Silicon Valley’s most storied tech giants, including Apple, Facebook, PayPal and Google

BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Huge, the global experience agency (NYSE: IPG), today announced Abdul Wahid Ovaice, Global Executive Creative Director for Huge’s Google account, effective immediately. Abdul will report directly to David Clarke, Huge’s Chief Design Officer, North America, and serve as the global creative lead for the agency’s Google account. In this role, he will be responsible for overseeing all creative design and execution across the account, which spans across 10 of the agency’s 13 offices.

Abdul Wahid Ovaice (Photo: Business Wire)

“The unique opportunity at Huge is what very few companies have been able to create,” said Abdul. “Reflecting back at my time at Apple, Square, Nest, and looking at other industry-defining organizations that made monumental creative, cultural, and ethical impact– there’s three shared attributes: leadership that created and stewarded an organization of excellence, timing in the marketplace, and fearless ideas that push us forward.”

Most recently, Abdul served as Executive Creative Director for Oura, a health technology company known for innovative wellness wearables. In that role, he oversaw all brand creative from digital, brand systems, packaging, and advertising, to in-app brand experiences.

“I’m thrilled to welcome such a passionate and accomplished leader to our team,” said David Clarke, Chief Design Officer, North America at Huge. “Abdul is a strategic craftsman with impeccable taste, who has worked side-by-side with the who’s who of Silicon Valley to build brands from fragile-idea to household name. His arrival marks the start of an important new chapter for the agency that will further unite our global network around one of our most ambitious clients.”

Most recently, Huge has partnered with Google to launch innovative new products and services, including Google TV and Google Pay, along with leading the rebranding of Android. Huge’s work with Google includes digital product strategy and design, branding, digital marketing, technology and, most recently, experiential design.

“With David Clarke having recently moved into the North America Chief Design Officer role, Abdul joining Huge allows us to go from strength to strength in the creative leadership we bring to our Google clients, globally,” said Mark Manning, President, Huge West. “Abdul brings impressive experience that will be incredibly valuable to the work we do with Google, and I’m excited to see him grab the baton and take the work and teams to new heights.”

With more than two decades of industry experience, Abdul has helped reimagine countless industries from finance, healthcare, and consumer electronics, to transportation, to name a few. He has led creative for tech giants Apple, Google, Facebook, and PayPal, as well as developed and led early stage start-ups into global preeminence for Nest Labs, Square, Uber, and Oura Ring.

Throughout his career, Abdul has won several of the industry’s top awards, including honors at The One Show, Webbys, Red Dot, Communication Arts, and Awwwards for his 2019 work on the Google Store. He also was awarded I.D. Magazine’s Design of The Year Award for Apple.com in 2008, when he helped usher the tech giant into the age of high design digital experiences. Abdul also led product launches for Nest, including Nest Cam, Nest Thermostat, and Nest Protect, as well as launching Square Stand for Square.com and launching the iPhone 2 and 3 on Apple.com.

Abdul’s new role comes on the heels of Mat Baxter’s appointment to Global Chief Executive Officer in July, along with this month’s announcement of Toni Lowe and Lisa De Bonis as GVP of Diversity Equity & Inclusion and Global Chief Experience Officer, respectively.

About Huge

Huge, part of Interpublic (IPG), is a global experience agency made up of creatives, designers, technologists, strategists, and data scientists. We help companies become a deeper part of people’s lives by creating unified brand experiences that people love. We work with clients such as Google, McDonald’s, FCA, Brooks Running, P&G, and others, who are as committed to shaping culture and defining the future as we are. Headquartered in Brooklyn, we currently have more than 1,200 employees working across 13 offices in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. For more info, visit us at hugeinc.com.

About Interpublic

Interpublic is one of the world’s leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include Craft, FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding), FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton, MAGNA, McCann, Momentum, MRM//McCann, MullenLowe Group, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Other leading brands include Avrett Free Ginsberg, Campbell Ewald, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, ID Media and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211007005605/en/

Media

Carrie Cummings

Group Director, Global Communications

Email: ccummings@hugeinc.com

Source: Huge

FAQ

What is the significance of Abdul Wahid Ovaice's appointment at Huge?

Abdul Wahid Ovaice's appointment is significant as he will lead creative efforts for Huge's Google account, bringing valuable experience from top tech firms.

How does Huge plan to enhance its work with Google after Ovaice's appointment?

Following Ovaice's appointment, Huge aims to strengthen its creative output and innovation for Google, unifying efforts across various offices.

What experience does Abdul Wahid Ovaice have?

Abdul Wahid Ovaice has over 20 years of experience, including leadership roles at Apple, Facebook, and Oura, focusing on brand and digital experiences.

What recent leadership changes occurred at Huge?

Huge recently appointed Mat Baxter as Global CEO, alongside Abdul Wahid Ovaice as Executive Creative Director for the Google account.

What are some recent projects Huge has launched with Google?

Recent projects include the launch of Google TV, Google Pay, and leading the rebranding of Android.