Experience agency, Imagination, has found its new executive creative director. Chris James will lead the creative at both the agency’s Sydney and Melbourne offices.

The digital and interactive specialist comes with a deep understanding of technology, connected experiences and the power interactivity can bring to an idea.

In a creative and digital career of more than two decades, James has accumulated a wealth of expertise across digital, branding, product, experience design and communications.

He has been ranked #2 digital creative director globally by the Won Report, #1 in Australia/NZ by Campaign Brief and led the digital creative offering for some of Australia’s largest and most awarded agencies, most recently spending two and a half years as Digital executive creative director and head of creative technology at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.

James’ role at Imagination will focus on driving the Imagination vision further to create world-class physical experiences powered by technology.

He commented, “I’ve been working with Imagination since February as a digital consultant and I was flattered when the business approached me to take the ECD gig. The opportunity to lead a creative team that already delivers brilliant solutions that marry the physical and digital worlds was an offer too good to be missed. In the last 6 months Imagination has opened my eyes to a world of creative and engagement opportunities outside advertising and I can truly say I’m like a kid in a candy store.

“I haven’t been this excited about a creative opportunity in a long time. Imagination is globally renowned when it comes to physical and live experiences, so to have a different approach to creative leadership sends a pretty strong message to the market.”

Heath Campanaro, director of Imagination Australia, added, “In such a short time, Chris has demonstrated his ability to lead our creative offering across the board. We’ve long led the way in digital and technology experiences at Imagination, and it made complete sense for us to focus our creative leadership in this area. Chris’ appointment is a defining moment for us and demonstrates our commitment to a future where technology, measurement and data are at the heart of connected brand experiences.”