DDB Chicago has named Jack Perone as its new chief strategy officer, AdAge reports. Perone takes over for John Kottman, who leaves for New York to become director of strategy for DDB’s North America operations.
Perone arrives at DDB Chicago as an 18 year veteran at JWT, most recently serving as VP-director of strategic planning. In that position, Perone was responsible for managing the planning department, overseeing agency accounts and generating new business — including Tylenol, Motrin, Kit Kat, Grand Marnier, Special K and the University of Toronto. Prior to JWT, Perone worked at FCB as an account executive, McCann Erickson as account supervisor and Lowe SMS as account director.
DDB Chicago CEO Paul Gunning, who joined the agency in July of last year, cited Perone’s shared vision for increased emphasis on analytics. “We’re not only developing culturally relevant content ideas, but we’re watching in real-time the performance of our advertising and optimizing on that,” Gunning told AdAge.
Perone’s arrival follows the appointment of CCO John Maxham in January and Jamie McGarry as director of business development in June.