• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, August 5, 2014

Jeff Benjamin, JWT’s North American Chief Creative Officer, will be leaving the agency to start a new creative venture, the WPP shop has confirmed.

Benjamin joined the agency in 2012 to take on the NA CCO role. Previously he was a Partner and chief creative officer at Crispin Porter + Bogusky.

The agency indicated that Matt Eastwood, who was named global chief creative officer in June, will become more involved in the New York office in the coming months as he looks for a successor for Benjamin. Eastwood was hired by Gustavo Martinez, who was named Global President last year and who is slated to succeed Bob Jeffrey as Global CEO in 2015.

“Jeff has never made it a secret that he has the ambition to build something entrepreneurial,” said Martinez. “We are excited to see him pursue his dreams and take the next step in his career. He’ll always be a friend to the agency, and we wish him the best.”

Of his departure Benjamin said: “Now is the right moment for me to build on what I believe in and put to test a creative model and mission of my own. I’m ready for the adventure.”