Host launches independent creative group, The Jamboree, headed by digital CD, Bob Mackintosh, and ex-W+K Amsterdam’s David Smith

September 24 2010, 2:03 pm | BY Kim Shaw | 7 Comments

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The growing list of independent creative groups can now add a new entrant, The Jamboree, as Host’s in house digital creative resource evolves. After five years as Host’s Digital Creative Director Bob Mackintosh (pictured left) will move into a new role as joint head of The Jamboree. He will be joined by co Creative Director David Smith (right), who returns to Australia after five years in Amsterdam at Wieden + Kennedy and before that, Strawberry Frog.

Smith’s recent work includes campaigns for Nike, Coca-Cola and Heineken. Other new additions to what will be an integrated team of fourteen, include Gary McCreedie and Wes Hawes who join from BBH London via Whybin\TBWA Sydney.

Host will retain in-house the twenty strong digital development team, with specialist skills in digital craft, design and technology. They will work in conjunction with The Jamboree, The Glue Society and other Host creative partners to realize ideas that will live in digital channels.

 
Host CEO Anthony Freedman said: “Five years ago we established an internal digital production capability that could work with all of our creative partners. In the intervening period that team grew to include writers and art directors from a variety of backgrounds but with ‘a digital DNA’. Taking stock of the talent we had, we felt they weren’t being used to their fullest potential in a solely digital role so we took the decision to retain the digital production team within Host and evolve the creative team into an independent group more akin to the rest of our creative partners.”

Mackintosh said: “In combining a digital creative department with writers and art directors from agencies of the calibre of Wieden + Kennedy and BBH, The Jamboree is perfectly placed to develop ideas that can exploit bought, owned and earned media channels.”

David Smith said “I think it’s still unusual to find a single team with a breadth of skills enabling them to develop standout integrated campaigns and truly innovative digital ideas. No doubt this will continue to change as digital evolves from a channel to part of every channel but I am excited that for now Jamboree is leading that charge.”


The Jamboree will have a mandate to develop “integrated ideas which invite participation” and will work alongside existing creative partners including long time collaborator, The Glue Society, direct and retail specialist Arcade, design group Toko and sales promotion experts Daisy.