Caa Snaps Up H+k’s Sutherden
H+K Strategies’ global sports lead Andy Sutherden is to leave the WPP agency for a new role with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), it has been announced.
Sutherden will depart the WPP group after more than 15 years to become the new Head of International for CAA Brand Consulting.
It follows CAA’s recruitment of Rachel Conlan from Havas last year, providing further evidence of the agency’s international ambitions.
Sutherden, who will report to Global Head of CAA Brand Consulting Greg Luckman, has held the role of Global Head of Sport & Partnership Marketing at H+K Strategies, which he joined in 2003.
He will arrive at CAA Brand Consulting – the sports, entertainment, and purpose-driven marketing arm of the US-headquartered business – with a brief to help guide and grow its international efforts, based out of London.
Luckman said of the appointment: “We have experienced transformational growth since launching CAA Brand Consulting seven years ago.
“As we continue to broaden our global service offering for the world’s most prestigious brands, it was time to bring on a talented leader like Andy to help us realise our ambitious goals.
“With an impeccable reputation within the sports and entertainment marketing industry, combined with in-depth experience managing international teams, we are confident that Andy will be a truly valuable addition to our company.”
At H+K Strategies, which he joined from Golin Harris, Sutherden led global teams across all continents, achieving the accolade of BT Sport Industry Awards Agency of the Year in 2013.
Sutherden played an integral role in many high-profile and celebrated sports sponsorship, partnership marketing, and celebrity endorsement campaigns including managing sponsorship communications for the Premier League’s first title sponsor, Carling; negotiating David Beckham as the first global face of Gillette; and serving as lead consultant for P&G’s first corporate brand campaign, ‘Thank You Mum’, at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Commenting on Sutherden’s departure, Simon Whitehead, H+K UK CEO, said: “Andy has had a long and distinguished career at H+K but we support his decision to take this new opportunity in the world of talent and sports, which he is so passionate about.
“We wish Andy every success in his new role and thank him for all he has done at H+K. We retain a very strong sports and partnership marketing team who deliver outstanding work around the globe.”
CAA Brand Consulting is one of 17 global CAA Sports divisions, with 230 employees in the US, London, Germany and China.
It currently advises, manages and activates on more than $3 billion in strategic partnerships and cultural platforms for global clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Mattel, Bose, Mondelez, Google, Tissot, Prudential and Pizza Hut.
The wider CAA agency was founded in 1975 and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Miami, Chicago, London, Munich, Geneva, Shanghai, and Beijing, among other locations globally.
The agency represents high-profile talent working in film, television, music, sports, theatre, video games, commercial endorsements, and digital content, and provides a range of strategic marketing and consulting services to corporate clients.
