Anomaly Goes Through Reorganization, Parts with Some Staff

By Erik Oster 

On the tail end of a successful year which saw the agency pick up accounts including Beats by Dre, Campbell’s Prepared Foods and BBC’s Top Gear, Anomaly has chosen to reorganize into what it’s calling “super groups.” It would appear that not everyone is on board, though the agency is actively hiring for open positions.

“Anomaly has had an extraordinary year with a 40 per cent revenue growth in the U.S. and a headcount increase of 30 per cent,” said an agency spokesperson. “To ensure we maintain the high quality of our work and the Anomaly DNA, we have organized into ‘super groups.’ Leading these groups is a large and very unique role. And inevitably it’s the right job for some and not the right fit for others.”

The spokesperson continued: “We have immense strength in depth and in order to give those leaders the space to lead they deserve and Anomaly’s need to strengthen our DNA we’ve created five super groups. Group Business Directors, Group Creative Directors and Group Strategy Directors- but not everybody can rise to that challenge. We’ve also continued to hire week after week to expand those groups and will do so until year end. With that much growth you’re always 10 or 15 hires behind but it’s about casting the right talent for the gaps as we look forward…whether that be data analysts, communication  strategists or content creators. Our Talent department is currently interviewing 24/7.”

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We have learned that group creative director Dave Clark and group business director L Parker Barnum left the agency, apparently as a result of the “super group” restructuring. It’s unclear if the reorganization has led to any other departures so far.

BarnumThe role we wanted him to perform as Group CD wasn’t a role he wanted. He leaves with lots or respect and goodwill,” the spokesperson added, speaking of Clark’s decision to leave the agency. 

Clark has served as group creative director at Anoamly since arriving in April. Prior to that, he freelanced in addition to holding creative director positions at consultancy co:collective, 72andSunny, Mother New York and Mekanism.

Barnum arrived at Anomaly as group business director back in February following two years as a management director with Saatchi & Saatchi, where working with clients including Charter and Tecate. Before that he spent five years as an account director with TBWA, focusing on Accenture and Mars brands Pedigree, Whiskas and Skittles. He had previously worked as an account manager/supervisor at Lowe Worldwide and BBDO, working with brands including XM Satellite Radio, Ricoh, Sharp, AOL, Motorola and Visa.

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