Golin wins Simple skincare brief and hires Will Balme

Golin has expanded its digital practice by appointing R/GA’s Will Balme as digital client services director and winning the Simple skincare digital experience work.

Balme joins the Golin team to help lead and grow its digital portfolio, and will report to head of digital Alex Brittain.

Balme’s previous experience includes digital and brand agencies Rufus Leonard, Radley Yeldar and, most recently, R/GA, working on global brands such as Barclays, Guinness and adidas.

Balme said: “I’m excited to join Golin’s digital team and work with world leading brands on digital their platforms and experiences. I also look forward to working with Golin’s content and communications teams to develop the agency’s integrated offering.”

Alongside Balme’s hire, Golin has strengthened its Unilever portfolio with a new digital experience win for Simple skincare.

Magali Giupponi, global brand director for Simple, said:  “We picked Golin because of their understanding of our audience needs and their track record in creating standout digital experiences and content.”

Alex Brittain added: “Simple is a fantastic brand who we’re proud to be working with. We have a great opportunity to differentiate them through their digital experience.

“This new win and latest hire highlights our increasingly mature digital offering at Golin. Nearly half of the agency is now a digital or social creative content expert, including animators, videographers, web design and build, social content experts and copywriters. We are driving forward what it means to be an integrated communications agency with digital at its core.”