WPP agency VMLY&R has appointed former Geometry global CEO Beth Ann Kaminkow as its New York CEO, succeeding Jason Xenopoulos, who now becomes global chief creative officer across WPP’s work with Ford.
Xenopoulos will continue in his role as VMLY&R’s North America co-chief creative officer, while Kaminkow moves into a dual role with the New York CEO position and retaining responsibility for VMLY&R Commerce globally as CEO. Both Xenopoulos and Kaminkow sit on VMLY&R’s global executive leadership team.
Kaminkow is tasked with uniting 1,000 creatives, strategists, data scientists and analysts into the VMLY&R New York hub, which is part of the agency’s larger integration strategy and includes multiple VMLY&R companies and brands, including VMLY&R Commerce, VMLY&R Health, Taxi and Berlin Cameron.
Appointed global CEO of Geometry in 2019 after being chief executive of Kantar Consulting Americas, Kaminkow moved over when the WPP commerce and experience agency was folded into VMLY&R to become VMLY&R Commerce. In her new role, she will build up VMLY&R’s data-driven and talent strategies across its brand experience, customer experience and commerce offerings.
Xenopoulos will retain creative oversight of VMLY&R North America and remain a strategic partner to Kaminkow as they position the agency across its portfolio of New York clients. Since the launch of VMLY&R in 2018, Xenopoulos has helped drive integration across VMLY&R New York and under his leadership, the office has experienced double-digit revenue growth, welcomed 27 new client partners and produced work for clients including Dell, New Balance, Campbell’s and Pfizer.
“I am so thrilled for the evolution of two of our top leaders,” said VMLY&R global CEO Jon Cook in a statement. “Beth Ann is a steward of culture and growth with a track record of building businesses and people. She has been an amazing force for innovation and integration at VMLY&R since joining our family last year. We’re thrilled to have Jason take on this new significant role, leveraging his creative prowess in an amazing way for Ford. Already working as partners to push forward our global agency strategy, Beth Ann and Jason will continue to drive momentum and creative excellence with VMLY&R New York and WPP’s global team for Ford.”