As 72andSunny enters its 20th year, Ali Cornford has been hired as managing director for 72andSunny New York, reporting to North American president, Marianne Malina.
Cornford will work with 72NY’s head of strategy Geoff McHenry, executive creative director Juliana Cobb, and director of production Julia Lafferty to form a collective partnership. Her hire rounds out the New York leadership team.
“We’re thrilled to have Ali round out our epic 72NY leadership team. I’m excited to see her partner with Juliana, Geoff and Julia to continue building on the winning momentum by bringing her depth of experience, gritty hunger and leadership to our clients, our work and our people,” said Marianne Malina, North American president of 72andSunny. “Ali is a curious leader that thrives on growth through creativity, discovering modern solutions and having fun doing it.”
Cornford comes to 72andSunny from Convicts, where she served as managing director for nearly three years. Before that, she held positions at BBH New York, Droga5, Anomaly, BBDO and Grey Canada.
In her new role, Cornford will take on a variety of responsibilities, leading across agency operations within the New York office as well as with clients including Paramount+, Sleep Number, E*Trade, 1800, Autotrader and Comcast. Cornford will also be responsible for driving business growth and results, while fostering agency culture, alongside the executive leadership team.
With the new addition of Cornford, the New York team builds on the momentum of the agency’s recent success with E*Trade’s Super Bowl spot and amplification behind the NFL and Sleep Number sponsorship.
“I have never been good at the status quo. So, the unique opportunity to join an agency alongside a new leadership team that is primed and ready to take on this next chapter is an incredible one. It has all the ingredients for success—awesome talent, great clients and killer creative that delivers. Helping to build 72andSunny in a way that is intrinsic to the city I love is something that I could not be more excited about,” said Cornford in a statement.