Veteran retail account executive Abbe MacLise has joined DDB Chicago, where she will oversee the $200 million J.C. Penney account.
MacLise, 39, takes over as client-services director at the agency. She will report to Don Hoffman, executive vice president and executive account director.
She replaces Joyce Bruce, who left the shop to take care of her new baby.
MacLise comes to DDB from J. Walter Thompson in Chicago, where she was a senior partner and management director, overseeing a portion of the agency’s Kraft account.
Her retail experience stems from 13 years at Young & Rubicam in New York, where she worked on the Sears, Roebuck & Co. business.
“She understands the selling season in retail, and event planning,” said Hoffman. “That knowledge is a must with a client like J.C. Penney.”
MacLise also did a stint at the former Ammirati Puris Lintas in Chicago, which no longer exists.
Her replacement at JWT has yet to be found, a representative there said.
MacLise said she was drawn to DDB because of its creative product. “It was the quality of the creative that I couldn’t pass up,” she said.
She said she is arriving at a good time, as Penney’s is celebrating its 100th year. Advertising heralding that anniversary will include a 90-second TV spot set to break during this Sunday’s Academy Awards telecast on ABC. The spot follows a woman’s life and how she has come in contact with the retailer at various times.
DDB Adds Retail Vet on Penney's
