BBH has promoted Amani Duncan from president to CEO of BBH USA. In the newly created CEO USA position, Duncan will work with USA chief creative officer Rafael Rizuto and the senior leadership team to shape the future for BBH USA.
The news follows the launch of the new global BBH board, which has made a commitment to empowering local leadership, maintaining global connectivity across the BBH offices and driving creativity across the agency’s key markets.
In the new role, Duncan will continue to manage the growth of the business, overseeing BBH USA’s clients and major campaigns. She will report to global CSO of Publicis Groupe, Carla Serrano. Duncan is also one of the members of the BBH global board.
“BBH is the shining gem of our creative portfolio; its heritage famously rooted in creating better work,” said Serrano in a statement. “In the U.S., BBH is particularly special given its glorious intersection of innovation, diversity and cultural fire. I know Amani has the vision, creative soul and Black Sheep zagness to lead the agency forward on its journey to creating iconic and future-facing creativity for clients.”
Duncan was named president of the New York office in 2021, becoming part of a leadership team that included chief strategy officer Tom Callard and CCO Rizuto. During 2021, Duncan oversaw creative that included “Glass Ceiling Breaker” and Google’s Black Owned Friday. As president, she grew the agency’s headcount by 77% and landed new clients including LinkedIn, Google, Walmart, Mattel, Netflix, Lionsgate and Martell U.S.
Duncan also spearheaded internal initiatives, including DEI, helping the agency become 64% female and reach 50% diversity in race. Before BBH, Duncan was senior vice president at ViacomCBS, and prior to that held marketing positions at C.F. Martin & Company, Bad Boy Entertainment, Capitol Music and Virgin Records. She came to BBH with a wealth of creative and business expertise from across the music, media, marketing and manufacturing industries.
“We believe we are standing on the shoulders of giants and hold in honor the foundation built by our founders Nigel Bogle, John Bartle and John Hegarty. We do not take lightly the responsibility of shepherding this illustrious agency into the future,” said Duncan in a statement. “It is an absolute privilege to lead this incredible team of black sheep. I am energized every day by the enormous opportunities on the horizon to propel brands forward, champion causes that matter and continue to grow and diversify our talent.”