According to the agency, during his time at Ogilvy, Barnes has been instrumental in shaping the agency's creative excellence, winning numerous industry accolades.

In 2020, Ogilvy Johannesburg was named as one of Cannes Lions' Top 3 Most Creative Agencies of the Decade, EMEA. In 2019, Ogilvy Johannesburg won Agency of the Year at the Assegais, as well as Large Agency and Overall Agency at Financial Mail's Adfocus Awards in 2018.

Barnes says, "I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to have worked amongst the most exceptional talent we have in the industry, and most importantly, the amazing work that we've produced for clients — through big ideas and a devotion for building brands."

"Matthew is a truly magnificent creative and marketer. He has a lot of passion and energy and is exceptional at his craft. It's been a pleasure working alongside him and defining a new creative agency model that has driven our effectiveness results," says managing director for Ogilvy Johannesburg, Tracey Edwards.

Over the past 20 years, Barnes has worked at several agencies, including Rednail Leo Burnett, TBWA Hunt Lascaris, Network BBDO, Jupiter Drawing room, Publicis, and FCB, before re-joining Ogilvy in 2015 as executive creative director for digital.

Enver Groenewald, group CEO for Ogilvy South Africa, concludes, "We would like to thank Matthew for his immense contribution to Ogilvy Johannesburg. He has played an extremely valuable role in a highly competitive industry landscape, leading our creative effectiveness agenda. We wish him all the best on his next chapter.”

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