JWT New York has hired Marta La Rock as executive planning director to handle strategic planning on Royal Caribbean and lead cross-agency integration for JWT parent WPP.
La Rock joins JWT from mcgarrybowen New York, where she served as chief strategy officer, directing planning for the agency’s accounts, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Dr Pepper Snapple Group and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
“Marta brings an excellent track record for brand thought leadership across many categories, and a commitment to stewarding talent to the New York office,” Robin Bardolia, chief strategic officer, JWT North America, said in a company release. Bardolia will oversee La Rock and said, “She is a champion of creativity, a secret weapon in new business and an optimistic can-do force. We are thrilled to have her join our team.”
Before mcgarrybowen, La Rock was senior partner, worldwide planning director at Ogilvy & Mather, working with planners and account teams on such accounts as Kraft, GSK, Kimberly-Clark and SC Johnson. Previously she was head of planning at Young & Rubicam New York, Publicis and TracyLocke.
Addressing her new position, La Rock said in the release, “I am thrilled to be working at JWT with such inspirational leadership and creative talent.”
JWT New York, the largest of JWT’s 200-plus offices, is trying to retool its creative ranks and restore the agency’s profile after the departure of North American CCO Ty Montague in 2010. Earlier this month, North American CCO Jeff Benjamin, who was named to that role in 2012, left the agency to start a new agency. Global creative chief Matt Eastwood, hired in June, will take over Benjamin's responsibilities while the agency searches for a replacement.
