ARK Agency Appoints John deGraft-Johnson as Strategy Partner

​ARK has appointed John deGraft-Johnson as strategy partner. John joins ARK from global strategy and innovation consultancy The Upside, bringing over 14 years of experience spanning advertising, brand consultancy, and innovation.

“John is precisely the kind of strategic leader we’ve been searching for,” said Mike Wilton, founder, ARK Agency. “His progressive thinking addresses the challenges brands face today, combining deep insight-driven strategy with engagement planning, consultancy, and innovation. A truly modern strategic thinker.”

Mat Goff, founder, ARK Agency said, “Doing new things in a fresh way calls for people both capable and prepared to think about brands and today’s comms landscape in new ways. John's modern approach to creative strategy turns challenges into opportunity and growth. We can't wait for him to bring all his brilliance to bear on our people and client partners at ARK.”

John has a distinguished track record across some of the world’s most recognisable brands, including Google, Spotify, adidas, Disney, MINI, Amazon, Instagram, Uber, Gordon’s Gin, and Heineken. His highlights include spearheading Google’s annual Year in Search campaign since 2022, featuring a Taylor Swift partnership and an interactive homepage game, redefining the global car launch with MINI’s Launched by, and giving teens a voice on Instagram through long-form, unfiltered interviews. He also orchestrated a viral Amazon Prime Christmas campaign uniting a priest and an imam, reaching over 100 million views.

Commenting on his appointment, John deGraft-Johnson, strategy partner, ARK Agency said, “I’m absolutely buzzing to be leaping aboard the ARK. From my first chat with Mat and Mike I felt at home. It wasn’t just their ambition, creativity, and experience, but our shared desire to challenge all the past assumptions we’ve experienced in agencies and brands. For too long every agency has had the same business model, same quotes, same process and same clients. ARK feels more fluid, less scared of change and more willing to take strategic chances. I’ve always believed that brands worthy of people’s attention combine deep empathy with brilliant flair. ARK shares that view, and with the talent in our little spot in Soho, we’ve got a chance to create something special.”

It’s been a killer first 18 months for ARK - they've delivered standout work for clients across all categories. Highlights include: the successful launch of their first loveholidays campaign in November, bringing sunshine, and rugby legend Joe Marler, to Shoreditch; Huel’s first-ever global campaign ‘Every Fire Needs Its Fuel’; and Löfbergs’ bold UK debut with ‘Feel the Lof’. Markedly, the appointments keep coming, with notable brands including Binance, Goodwood, CBIE, and Magners, for whom they unveiled ‘That’s Magnertism’. Alongside their client successes, ARK strengthened its leadership team: award-winning creative duo Xander Hart and Edward Usher joined from adam&eveDDB as creative partners, while producer Hannah Needham became production partner. The agency is rapidly building a reputation as an independent creative powerhouse. 

At ARK, John will lead strategy across client work and innovation projects, helping brands navigate an ever-evolving cultural landscape while creating ideas that resonate with modern audiences. He will report directly to ARK’s founders, Mat Goff and Mike Wilton. John will officially start in January 2026.