Jake Barrow

Background

About Jake Barrow

Jake grew up in Red Cliffs, Victoria – population 2600. It was here, when voted “Funniest Kid in High School”, he believes his advertising career was born. After placing second in Australia’s prestigious AWARD School, he found himself working at some of Australia’s top advertising agencies. Jake’s innovative approach to creativity has seen him become one of Australia’s most awarded advertising creatives, with in excess of 500 industry awards he’s twice been ranked in the Top 20 creatives in the world, is currently ranked 6th best ECD globally by The Drum and won 31 Cannes Lions – 7 Gold. In 2017 he was promoted to Executive Creative Director of iconic Australian advertising agency George Patterson Y&R (now VML) and in 2021 was also given the responsibility of the Sydney office, as Group ECD. Currently VML is ranked #1 most creative agency in Australia for 2 years in a row by Campaign Brief’s The Work, is ranked 6th Regional Agency of the Decade by Cannes Lions and is the 2023 Global Agency of the Year at London International Awards. He has now taken the role as Chief Creative Officer of VML Czechia, a 400 strong agency in the heart of Europe. Other career highlights have included creating a global dog adoption movement, having a TVC on display in an art gallery, launching a feature film, strapping Fit Bits to chickens and having work featured in the book “100 Ideas that Changed Advertising”. He is a regular guest lecturer at AWARD School, has spoken at the Australian Film Television and Radio School and recently delivered 2 panel talks at SXSW Sydney. Outside of advertising he spends way too much time trying to beat his current Galaga score and makes the best homemade salami in Prague – quite possibly the world.