72andSunny promoted five employees to partner status across its Los Angeles, New York and Amsterdam offices, thereby ringing its total number of partners to fourteen.
The partners include chief talent officer Sedef Onar, managing director Chris Kay, 72andSunny New York managing director James Townsend, 72andSunny Amsterdam managing director Nic Owen and 72andSunny Amsterdam director of strategy Stephanie Feeney.
“Since our inception 13 years ago, we’ve always known that what makes this place different is our people,” 72andSunny founder and creative co-chair John Boiler said in a statement. “We’ve nurtured a culture of bravery, generosity and entrepreneurship, combined with business strategy and unyielding optimism. These are all qualities that our expanded global leadership team has in abundance and we couldn’t be happier to welcome five new partners, and see where we can all take 72andSunny in the future.”
Kay is transitioning from leading the Los Angeles office to managing international ventures for the agency, in addition to receiving partner status. Kay joined 72andSunny in 2013, following two years as managing partner for BMF Advertising in Sydney. Previously he spent over seven years an account director and then head of account management with Fallon London, leaving to accept a position as head of marketing for Manchester City Football Club in December of 2008.
“Equal parts creative entrepreneur, lateral thinker, and culture maker, Chris Kay has been critical to our expansion into a global network,” 72andSunny chief operating officer Evin Shutt said in a statement. “He’s always thinking about people, the company and the future, and has a great skill of putting people in the right position and allowing them to shine.”
Onar joined 72andSunny as director of talent in August of 2012 and was promoted to chief talent officer last February. Before joining the agency she served as director of talent for Grey Group and then Google.
“Above all, we’re in the talent business,” 72andSunny founder and creative co-chair Glenn Cole said. “It’s a function that has fueled our success and continues to be our secret sauce as we move forward. Sedef approaches talent with a strategic mind, a big heart, and an ambition and advocacy for people at our company and within our industry that is without peer.”
Townsend joined 72andSunny as a group brand director in November of 2011, working with clients including A-B InBev, Samsung, ESPN and Sonos. He was promoted to brand director in November of 2013 and transferred to the agency’s New York office to serve in that role the following October. Before joining 72andSunny he served as an account director with Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and vice president, client services for Huge.
“James joined 72andSunny at a whirlwind of a time,” Boiler said. “From the very start, he’s been a believer in the company’s mission, and has channelled his diverse experience to help us find new opportunities.”
Owen has served as managing director for 72andSunny Amsterdam since March of 2013, following a year as head of account management at Anomaly.
In a statement, 72andSunny executive creative director and partner Carlo Cavallone called Owen a “stalwart, brave and generous leader,” adding, “He’s not only been key to our growth in Amsterdam, but his leadership is a big reason our New York office is what it is today. His ongoing openness to help the wider company in its mission and its endeavors is both admirable and rare to find.”
Feeney joined 72andSunny back in 2012 and has worked with brands including Axe, Google, Samsung, Carlsberg and Smirnoff. Before joining the agency she served as planning director with Dare, a year as board account planner at MCBD and two years as a senior planner at Fallon London before that.
“Stephanie is fearless, ambitious and kind,” 72andSunny CEO Matt Jarvis said in a statement. “There’s an excitement that she brings to strategy, office leadership, and client relationships. She’s been invaluable in showing brands the way to positively impact culture and helps 72andSunny become a more progressive and modern company.”
The announcement follows several new business wins including eBay and, most prominently, General Mills.
72andSunny is also currently hiring to staff what will be its fourth office in Sydney, Australia.