The Oval Office votes for OVAL
In a world full of hard lines and sharp corners, The Oval Office gives its voice to empathy.
The creative agency, which specialises in brand experiences, is resolutely committed to connection. This becomes very clear in its new identity: from 15 October, the agency will continue under the name OVAL.
A few days after our local ballot and three weeks before the US elections, this is the ideal time to send a signal: we are leaving The Oval Office! Away from a world of hard lines and sharp corners, the agency is transforming into OVAL with full conviction.
"We are skipping 'The Office' from today," laughs Jeroen Rigole, Managing Director in Belgium. "With OVAL, we make our existing promise and vision even clearer: we are a creative agency, driven by empathy. We seek positive impact by creating meaningful experiences for employees, consumers, citizens and companies. So our mission will not change and our talented team will also continue to make the same creative, impactful work we are known for. I look forward to continuing to build on our beautiful story with them and our clients under the new banner."
Almost 13 years ago, The Oval Office was founded by Wouter Boits. Today, not only times, but the whole world and thus The Oval Office have changed profoundly. The 'live communications agency' evolved into a 'creative agency', known today for its strategically informed, impactful campaign concepts experienced both live and digitally. Its loyal clients appreciate the still independent agency mainly for its human, warm and personal approach.
A new name that better reflects who we are
"At the outset, I chose a slightly challenging, funny and therefore remarkable name with The Oval Office. It was 2 years after the election of the first black US president and no one took offence. On the contrary, it turned out to be an excellent conversation starter," explains Wouter Boits, Founder & CEO.
"However, with increasing surprise, over the years we have witnessed an increasingly aggressive tone in political communication, including from and to The White House. Unfortunately, America does not have a monopoly on this unseen coarsening; meanwhile, politicians around the world (including Belgium) are employing these tried-and-tested tactics. With far-reaching consequences on the ground... In this polarised world, we realise more than ever that as an agency, together with our clients, we have an important social role to play. In essence: it is our collective responsibility to put the power of empathy at the heart of every form of communication. Without empathy no communication, without communication no society, without a society no communication. It's as simple as that."
Born in Europe
Over the past decade, the agency grew not only in Belgium, but also beyond its borders in the Netherlands (Amsterdam), France (Paris) and Germany (Düsseldorf). Together, as of today, they form OVAL, as one agency, "born in Europe". With identical values, the team of 120+ experts is ready to support its customers across borders. OVAL is thus fully on the European map and can rely on tons of local expertise in four countries to create the strongest brand experiences.
You can find all the information on the brand new website weareoval.be or weareoval.com.
