Clare Bowen has been appointed as Head of Creative Development at the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), tasked with delivering a programme of activity to help champion higher standards of creativity in radio.

Reporting to Managing Director Simon Redican, Bowen moves from agency HMDG and brings experience from UK creative agencies Coley Porter Bell and Ogilvy to the role. 

The position, which is a new post, will be central to the campaign, ‘creativity in radio’, launched last year by the RAB and D&AD to help improve standards in advertising.

Bowen will drive the day-to-day operational delivery of all ‘creative challenge’ activity, liaising closely with D&AD, creative agencies and the radio industry.   She will also work with the industry to encourage entry to Cannes and other major creative awards.

At HMDG, Bowen was account lead on Rachel’s Organic yogurt, handling the launch of the brand’s first ever TV commercial. She was also responsible for delivering all advertising (TV, radio, digital OOH, press) for Superdrug, with the launch TV commercial shortlisted for BTAA Awards.

Simon Redican, RAB Managing Director commented:  “The medium is in rude health, with record audiences and growing revenues.  Clare will work with advertisers and creative agencies to begin to see UK Radio ads receiving the same sort of plaudits and recognition our creative industries are famed for worldwide.”

Clare Bowen added:  “It’s time to give UK radio advertising the reappraisal it deserves. With so much energy and innovation evident in other media channels right now, we now need to raise the bar of radio creative too. I’m excited to be part of that challenge.”