Chris Powell (advertiser)
Encyclopedia
Sir John Christopher "Chris" Powell (born 4 October 1943), son of Air Vice-Marshal
John Powell OBE
, is a British advertiser.
(BMP) in 1969, was appointed to the board in 1972 and made managing director three years later. He is one of the most respected practitioners of his trade.
An early campaign created by BMP while under Powell's management was for the Smash
potato brand, featuring potato-loving Martians; this advertisement has been voted Britain’s favourite. In 1983, BMP floated on the London Stock Exchange valued at £16 million. After a hostile bid by a French company, BMP was bought in 1989 for £125 million ($200 million) by DDB Worldwide
, part of Omnicom Group, an American holding company controlling many agencies.
Powell progressed to become BMP DDB's CEO and subsequently chairman. The agency for over thirty years was voted the most creative in the world, and its approach to advertising has influenced most agencies around the world. DDB went on to become the second-largest marketing agency in the UK, developing a strong US network.
Powell received his knighthood for services to the advertising industry at the end of 2008. BMP DDB was Labour's advertising agency from 1972 to 1997.
, and, formerly, chair of the Institute of Public Policy Research think tank; the British Council's Creative Industries Advisory Panel; the Ealing Hammersmith and Hounslow Health Authority; and Vice Chair of the Public Diplomacy Board. He serves on the Government's Science Forum and the Board of Riverside Studios.
He is a member of the Corporate Finance Advisory Board at Pricewaterhouse Coopers
, advising on corporate finance in the entertainment and media sector, and has NED roles at Dr Foster, Renew, ParcelGenie, and UBM.
, Roderick, and Jonathan Powell, who was chief of staff to Tony Blair
.
Air Vice-Marshal
Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
John Powell OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, is a British advertiser.
Advertiser
Powell joined the advertising agency Boase Massimi PollittBoase Massimi Pollitt
Boase Massimi Pollitt is an advertising agency founded in October 1968 by Martin Boase, Gabe Massimi, and Stanley Pollitt.The three founders had previously worked at Pritchard Wood, but went their own way after failing to buy the company from its parent...
(BMP) in 1969, was appointed to the board in 1972 and made managing director three years later. He is one of the most respected practitioners of his trade.
An early campaign created by BMP while under Powell's management was for the Smash
Smash (instant mashed potato)
Smash is a brand of instant mashed potato in the United Kingdom. The preparation of Smash is extremely simple - the granules are placed in a bowl and boiling water is added and stirred producing a mashed potato substitute....
potato brand, featuring potato-loving Martians; this advertisement has been voted Britain’s favourite. In 1983, BMP floated on the London Stock Exchange valued at £16 million. After a hostile bid by a French company, BMP was bought in 1989 for £125 million ($200 million) by DDB Worldwide
DDB Worldwide
DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc., known internationally as DDB, is a worldwide marketing communications network. It is owned by Omnicom Group Inc, one of the world's largest advertising holding companies...
, part of Omnicom Group, an American holding company controlling many agencies.
Powell progressed to become BMP DDB's CEO and subsequently chairman. The agency for over thirty years was voted the most creative in the world, and its approach to advertising has influenced most agencies around the world. DDB went on to become the second-largest marketing agency in the UK, developing a strong US network.
Powell received his knighthood for services to the advertising industry at the end of 2008. BMP DDB was Labour's advertising agency from 1972 to 1997.
Commerce
Powell is currently Chair of NESTANESTA
The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts is an independent endowment in the United Kingdom established by an Act of Parliament in 1998....
, and, formerly, chair of the Institute of Public Policy Research think tank; the British Council's Creative Industries Advisory Panel; the Ealing Hammersmith and Hounslow Health Authority; and Vice Chair of the Public Diplomacy Board. He serves on the Government's Science Forum and the Board of Riverside Studios.
He is a member of the Corporate Finance Advisory Board at Pricewaterhouse Coopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
, advising on corporate finance in the entertainment and media sector, and has NED roles at Dr Foster, Renew, ParcelGenie, and UBM.
Re-branding Britain
He was instrumental in launching a re-branded Britain with the catchphrase, "Cool Britannia".Personal life
He has three brothers, Charles PowellCharles Powell
Charles Edwin Powell is an American actor, known for his roles as himself on Popular Mechanics for Kids and as President Harold Bates on 15/Love.-Biography:...
, Roderick, and Jonathan Powell, who was chief of staff to Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
.