As we reported on Friday, Deutsch has officially announced the hiring of Pete Johnson as executive creative director, working out of its New York office. Johnson will leave Arnold Worldwide in Boston, where he served in the same role, in June to join Deutsch. It remains unclear where fellow departing Arnold executive creative director Andy Clarke will end up.
Johnson originally joined Arnold in January of 2012 as a senior vice president, group creative director and was promoted to managing partner/executive creative director in August of 2013, co-leading the agency’s creative team in Boston along with Wade Devers. Before joining Arnold, he spent around a year and a half as a group creative director with DigitasLBi, following three years as a creative with Tribal DDB New York. Prior to that he held senior copywriting positions with Ogilvy & Mather aND MRM Worldwide. Over the course of his career he has worked with such brands as Progressive, Sony, Jack Daniels, Carnival, Truth and New Balance (which ended its relationship with Arnold last month).
“We’re excited to have Pete joining us, he is an idea-driven creative with a focus on craftsmanship and his mixed-media approach make him a seamless fit for our clients and us,” said Deutsch New York CEO Val DiFebo.
“Deutsch is on a tear. Great people doing great work,” added Johnson. “It’s what it is all about and I can’t wait to be part of it.”