2 Senior-Level Leaders Rejoin the Richards Group

Last October, The Richards Group found itself embroiled in controversy after founder Stan Richards described a Motel 6 campaign as “too Black.” The agency has since quietly worked to overhaul its internal culture under new leader Glenn Dady who stepped in to oversee the Dallas agency following Richards’ departure after 44 years. While many staffers departed amid the controversy, the agency is luring veterans Sue Batterton and Trevor Monteiro back as its enters its next chapter. Their return also reflects the agency’s commitment to ongoing inclusion management and the importance of elevating top talent across the agency’s growing disciplines. Batterton will serve as the newly added role of chief creative officer to oversee the creative product of the agency. Working closely with CEO Glenn Dady, she will motivate work that inspires rich cultural conversations and deeper connections to consumers. Her role also includes recruiting, promoting and retaining diverse talent and collaborating across agency disciplines in managing, mentoring and honing the craft of the creative team at all levels. 'We are wide awake now' “There has never been a more exciting time to be part of this agency,” Batterton said in a statement. “We had a wake-up call. Well, we are wide awake now. And the work of this world-class creative team reflects a startup energy, an inclusive worldview and a freedom felt unlike ever before.” Batterton left the agency earlier this year to work at BBDO Minneapolis as executive creative director, where she was still working remotely in Dallas due to the pandemic. She was in the process of relocation. Not only does she not have to move cities, her boomerang return serves as a promotion from her previous Richards position as creative group head/writer. Concurrently, Trevor Monteiro joins as head of brand media, the agency’s biggest discipline in terms of employee numbers, replacing an executive who departed in April for a new opportunity in a different industry. Monteiro will lead the agency’s integrated media discipline, incorporating strategy, investment and analysis of all paid media. His vision will shape all future media services. Monteiro originally left The Richards Group as media group head in September to join Moroch Partners as vice president of communications planning. However, he wanted to be part of the next phase of The Richards Group. “There are so many areas of growth—inclusion, equity and diversity; leadership; media,” said Monteiro. “We have a unique opportunity to drive the change that leads to an innovative and inclusive culture that sets the bar for the industry. My role is to work with brilliant people—everyone within the agency—to support them, empower them and hopefully provide some guidance along the way.” Batterton and Monteiro’s return is just the beginning of leadership changes at the Richards Group that will be finalized in the coming months. “From the moment the transformation of The Richards Group began more than six months ago, I knew the true mark of whether we were succeeding in our goals was whether we could attract top talent to the agency—including talent that had previously been in the building,” Dady said. “I’m thrilled to welcome Sue and Trevor back into the fold, and to empower them with the leadership roles I know they’ll thrive in. The future of our agency is brighter than ever with Sue and Trevor joining me at the helm.” three Texas Agencies Form After Richards Group Fallout

Leadership & Talent

2 Senior-Level Leaders Rejoin the Richards Group

Veterans rejoin the agency after founder's controversial remarks and exit

Larissa Faw

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Larissa Faw