Wunderman has hired Sami Thessman as chief creative officer of its flagship New York office.
In the role, Thessman will lead accounts including United Airlines (which we hear just completed a closed review without changing its agency lineup), Coca-Cola, E*TRADE and Isle of Capri, partnering with Wunderman New York president Jamie Gallo and working closely with global CCO Lincoln Bjorkman. He replaces Toni Hess, who left the role in January for personal reasons.
Thessman joins Wunderman from Havas New York, where he served as executive creative director for the past year. Before joining that shop, Thessman spent several years with different offices in the TBWA network: he was global executive creative director with TBWA\Hong Kong following three years with TBWA\Digital Arts Network, and he also held the executive creative director title at both TBWA\Digital Arts Network\Helsinki and TBWA\Digital Arts Network\Hong Kong after joining TBWA as a creative director with its Helsinki office in March of 2011. Earlier in his career, he was an art director with Skandaali and Dynamo. To date, Thessman has worked with brands including Nissan, adidas, Apple, Lee Jeans, MasterCard, McDonald’s, Michelin and the NBA.
“Sami is a proven leader able to combine technology, data and storytelling in order to help brands build innovative campaigns, with particular expertise in the technology and financial sectors,” said Gallo. “His entrepreneurial mindset and technology expertise will help our clients push the boundaries of consumer engagement, and build Wunderman’s business.”
“With more than a thousand data scientists partnering with thousands of creatives across the world, Wunderman is uniquely able to help global brands listen to – and engage – their audiences across all social, mobile and digital platforms,” added Thessman. “I’m excited to join Wunderman New York, the agency is well-positioned to meet the demands of this developing industry and I’m ready to help further the insight-driven offering.”