Brand and experience design firm Collins has hired Victoria Thomas as business director and Louis Mikolay as associate creative director of its San Francisco office.
Thomas, who most recently was managing director of Pivot Design, will oversee all global client relationships in the new role for the agency. She reports to Karin Soukup, managing partner, brand experience design, at Collins.
Victoria Thomas, Collins business director in San Francisco.
Mikolay relocated from London, where he was creative director at independent agency Koto, to take up the position. He also will report to Soukup.
Collins said both hires are effective immediately and stem from the agency’s growing roster of global clients including Coca-Cola, Dropbox, Facebook, Mailchimp and Target.
“We firmly believe that diversity of background leads to diversity of thought to diversity of work,” said Collins CCO Brian Collins. “We’re insanely happy to add their creative minds to our team and can only imagine what will happen next.”
Louis Mikolay, associate creative director.
A little more on Thomas:
Past employers: Pivot Design, Inkling, Chronicle Books
Key previous client work: Facebook, Google, Red Bull, Chronicle Books, Uber and Urban Outfitters
Fun facts: Baltimore born and raised, Thomas has spent the last 10 years “attempting to become a true west coaster,” according to the agency, by joining the Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco board, marrying a local and converting from an Orioles to a Giants fan.
“There’s a lot of momentum in our San Francisco office,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to pushing more boundaries and opening more frontiers with our current and future west coast partners.”
A litte more on Mikolay:
Past agencies: Koto, North
Key previous client work: The Co-op, Workplace by Facebook, HSBC, Barbican and The Saatchi Gallery
Fun facts: Mikolay, growing up on the South coast of England, moved to London to study at Ravensbourne and build a BMX fashion brand. He also spent time as an editorial designer at The Sunday Times, and in Berlin, working with SV Associates for contemporary dance company Sasha Waltz & Guests. When not working, he and his wife Jess, a qualitative researcher, enjoy climbing, cycling and cooking.
“I’ve always looked to Collins as a place that is creating some of the best work in the world,” Mikolay said. “It truly is an honor for me to contribute to the company’s next wave of great work.”