Joji Jacob has taken on the position of Regional Chief Creative Officer for Southeast Asia and North Asia at Havas, concurrently retaining his position as Creative Partner and Co-Founder at BLKJ Havas Singapore. In his expanded role, Jacob will oversee the overall creative direction and integration into client interactions throughout the region. Serving as the Chair of Havas’ APAC and a member of the Global Creative Council, he will work in tandem with council members to promote creative excellence across regional offices, emphasizing innovative storytelling approaches with a focus on maintaining meaningful connections.
With an illustrious career spanning more than two decades, Jacob has made substantial contributions to well-known agencies in India and Singapore. Co-founding BLKJ in 2016 and joining Havas in 2021, BLKJ Havas has curated an impressive client roster, including esteemed brands like Great Eastern, The Republic of Singapore Air Force, the Economic Development Board of Singapore, JLL, and others.
Before his tenure at BLKJ Havas, Jacob served as the Group Executive Creative Director at DDB for nine years. Under his leadership, the agency garnered numerous accolades, solidifying its position as one of the most awarded at prestigious industry events. Jacob's achievements include being recognized as Singapore’s Most Influential Creative Director by the Institute of Advertising Singapore and Southeast Asia’s Creative Person of the Year by Campaign for two consecutive years. Additionally, he has served as a key juror for renowned global and regional awards platforms, including Cannes, D&AD, LIA, One Show, and Spikes Asia.
Rana Barua, Group CEO for India, Southeast, and North Asia, stated, "As a network, our collective focus remains dedicated to delivering clients a meaningful experience through exceptional work, achieved by investing in top-tier talent. The region, while culturally diverse, shares a common purpose. Joji, with his extensive experience and creative prowess across the region, will elevate our overall creative output and play a universal role in fostering positive momentum for all markets, aligning with the goal of One Asia. This appointment underscores Havas’ commitment to nurturing top-notch creative leadership, driving the creative mandate, and represents a significant stride towards achieving our growth objectives in these dynamic markets".