John Woodward

Graduated from Gordonstoun School and Cambridge University and joined Leo Burnett as a graduate trainee in London in 1988, working on Procter and Gamble, Kellogg’s, McDonalds and United Airlines, before transferring to Milan in 1991 where he was quickly promoted to run the Kellogg’s business among others.

In 1995, John moved to Australia as leader of the Kellogg’s account. During his tenure, Leo Burnett was awarded Australian Agency of the Year, and Leo Burnett’s Network Agency of the Year.

In 2000, he was promoted to Regional Planning Director, Asia-Pacific, based in Hong Kong. While in Asia, he worked extensively on Coca-Cola in China, as well as Procter and Gamble, McDonalds, Wrigley and Heineken. He was also the planning lead on the successful global Samsung pitch.

In 2007, he relocated to Paris and to Publicis as Global Head of Planning, reporting to the CEO. He was responsible for developing positioning, planning tools and network development, as well as running global accounts including Nescafe, AXA, UBS, Orange and Zurich Insurance.

Effective April 2015, he relocated to Tokyo and assumed the role of Chief Strategy officer of McCann Erickson Japan and McCann Worldgroup Japan.

John has been a member of the jury for Global Effie Judge 2011, 2013; Cannes Effectiveness Lions Judge 2012, 2014

He lives with his wife Karen, and his daughter Ella in Shimokitazawa.