My Farewell.
In the future when history gives its perspective on the boldest
and most influential creative experiments of this era,
I believe that Wieden+Kennedy will deserve consideration for its place in the zeitgeist of culture and creativity…
One possible detractor could be the social bias that the agency has actually been too successful as a business,
or the fact that we are marketers.
So we will have to see if such accomplishments prove to be a negative in the populist and academic camps.
Clearly, the agency already owns a special position at the top of advertising and communications
but the extraordinary qualities and often quiet achievements by the agency surpass its many creative awards.
At its heart, this place was always more than advertising in its creative aspirations and vision.
The co-founders, Dan Wieden and David Kennedy,
dreamed of a place where people could simply meet their own personal potential,
a place where creative people could thrive through freedom and responsibility… a place of respect and trust.
Contrary to the creative swagger that the agency has earned, its many “Agency of the Year” awards,
and the legendary talent that have passed through its halls,
there is a spiritual side of the agency in Portland that gives it a soul unlike other organizations.
It is this unique DNA that the agency nurtures in new cultures and societies
while it has grown organically as an independent network.
Through its success and independence,
Wieden+Kennedy controls its future and has structured itself to prevent it from being sold to outside controlling forces.
If there is one defining truth at the agency,
it is that money is never more important than creativity and the future of its people.
That simple guiding force of independence has been the fuel for the agency’s growth,
business success and creative legacy.
It is why people make personal sacrifices to keep the culture alive and evolving.
It is why we are Wieden+Kennedy.
Once in an annual global management session in Brazil… we wanted to challenge our mission statement,
to redefine our raison d’état. Dan Wieden’s suggestion,
“Be the eye of the cultural storm.”
It was this concept that gave me the passion and energy to contribute to this extraordinary agency for over two decades.
On January 29, 2015, I said my final farewell in the atrium of Wieden+Kennedy.
It was an honor to stand with the agency one last time and an even greater honor to see them stand for me.
The future is next.
And it will be amazing for all of us.
John C. Jay
President of Global Creative
Fast Retailing Co.
