2 Longtime Executives Leaving Arnold Boston for Other Opportunities

By Patrick Coffee 

Two top executives will be leaving the Boston headquarters of Arnold in coming weeks.

Both managing partner, executive director Barbara Reilly and SVP, marketing director and head of new business Michael Shonkoff will leave after spending around 20 years with the larger organization.

“After nearly 21 years with Arnold, we can confirm that Managing Partner, Executive Director Barb Reilly will be leaving at the end of March for a new position,” wrote an Arnold spokesperson. “She has been an incredibly valuable member of our team – contributing to our business, our clients, our culture and our success. We wish Barb the best of luck and thank her for all that she has done for Arnold during her tenure at the agency.”

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The note continued: “SVP, Marketing Director Michael Shonkoff will be leaving Arnold on Feb. 17 to pursue a new client-side opportunity. Michael has been a valued member of the agency for nearly two decades, contributing to both new business and key accounts. While it’s always sad to see valued people leave, it’s also great to see a strong Arnold leader going off to tackle an exciting new chapter. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

The spokesperson declined to elaborate on the reasons behind the pending departures or the opportunities these executives have accepted outside the Arnold organization. Both joined Arnold in 1997. Shonkoff left to spend two years at Modernista!, which closed in early 2011 as co-founder Lance Jensen went to Hill Holliday, where he’s now EVP, chief creative officer.

Last August, Arnold Boston SVP and managing partner Don Lane left the agency to become SVP of brand and creative at area fantasy sports company DraftKings. He also spent more than two decades there.

Contrary to earlier rumors, no other specific executive-level changes are planned at this time. But we hear that the gossip mill has been more active than usual following last month’s departure of Andrew Benett, now-former global CEO of the Creative division of parent company Havas.

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