180LA Hires 4 New Creatives to Work on Postmates, Cox Communications and University of Phoenix

By Patrick Coffee 

L to R: Elizabeth Lay (Art Director), Jim Goodrich (Copywriter), Will Sands (Copywriter), Robison Mattei (Art Director)

Omnicom shop 180LA announced the addition of two new creative teams to its staff after a series of high-level changes in recent months.

First, art director Elizabeth Lay and copywriter James Goodrich continue a 4-year partnership that started at the nearby L.A. offices of Wongdoody (which was acquired by Infosys for $75 million earlier this year).

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“Creating is what drives us. To know we’re going to an agency that supports the kind of work we want to be making is amazing,” said Goodrich, who has worked on campaigns for brands like Tinder, Amazon and GoToMeeting.

Lay, who majored in architecture and urban planning before entering the ad industry and recently freelanced with David&Goliath, added, “We know we can make creative we’ll be proud of at 180.”

Senior copywriter Will Sands comes to 180LA after 3 years with Deutsch, where he was on the Taco Bell account. He will partner with art director Robison Mattei, an international traveler who most recently served as senior art director at Saatchi & Saatchi L.A. after stints at Leo Burnett Dubai and the Brazilian offices of CP+B, JWT and Lowe.

Sands cited the agency’s recent work for Boost Mobile and UNICEF’s “Unfairy Tales” series, which he called “some of the best work in L.A. in recent years.”

“It isn’t a bureaucratic agency, so there’s lots of room for contribution. We’re excited to join such a fast and nimble team,” he said.

According to the release, these teams will work on Postmates, Cox Communications and University of Phoenix while reporting to CDs Brian Farkas and Tylynne McCauley and GCDs Mike Bokman and Jason Rappaport.

180 global president and CCO Al Moseley said the new teams will “bring a fresh perspective as they provide creative solutions to our clients’ business challenges.”

Over the past 10 months, 180LA has parted with several top executives including CCO and managing partner William Gelner and CEO Mike Allen; the former recently took the lead creative role at Engine’s Trailer Park.

The agency also launched an office-wide “workplace conduct” investigation earlier this year. According to a party close to the company, that matter did not lead to any definitive conclusion. But a spokesperson did say the agency has “taken a range of forward-looking actions as a result of the investigation to reinforce its policies for a respectful, safe and inclusive culture for all employees.”

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