Quick Facts
Biography
Chris Clarke (born 1968 or 1969) is an Australian entrepreneur. He is currently the CEO of Pure Growth Partners and partner with actor Hugh Jackman at Pure Growth.
Career
Clarke started his career in Australia as a documentary filmmaker. He moved into advertising after landing a job directing a commercial for Mars, and, unhappy with the script, convinced Mars to use his ideas instead. In 1993, Clarke founded the agency network Pure Creative while in his 20s. He kept Mars as a client, and also went on to pick up work for other large companies, such as Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble. In 1994, he moved to China and continued his work there. Clarke sold Pure Creative to D'Arcy in 1999.
In 2002, Clarke began the creative and digital agency Nitro in Shanghai. In 2004, Nitro expanded with new offices in London and New York. By April 2007, Nitro also had offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Dubai, Hong Kong and Taipei. Nitro acquired AKA Advertising and expanded its offices in New York.
In October 2007, Clarke purchased Australian advertising agency Cummins & Partners in a deal with a two-year buy-out, renaming the Australian entity Cummins Nitro.
In June 2009, Clarke sold the entire Nitro Group with its 700 employees to the Sapient Group to create the global advertising and digital network SapientNitro, where he became Global Chief Creative Officer and Executive Chairman.
In December 2014, SapientNitro was sold to Publicis Groupe for $3.7 Billion.
In January 2011, Clarke left SapientNitro to start the venture capital group Pure Growth Partners. Partnering with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Pure Growth launched the Street King energy shot brand in September 2011.
In 2015, Clarke launched a line of youth-focused sunscreen products called Pure Sun Defense, along with Pure Growth Group co-founders Hugh Jackman and Sabrina Peterson.
Clarke will co-produce the Warner Bros. faith-based drama "Apostle Paul", alongside Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Hugh Jackman, and Jennifer Todd. Actor Hugh Jackman will star in the film.