Grey Group has added to its global leadership team, naming Gabriel Schmitt global chief creative officer. He will report to global CEO Laura Maness.
Gabriel Schmitt (l), with Grey Group global CEO Laura Maness, has been named global CCO at Grey Group.
Schmitt, who was recently recognized by the Adweek 50, joins Grey Group from FCB New York, where he rose to co-chief creative officer alongside Michael Aimette. There, he led the agency’s creative resurgence on the heels of campaigns including “Whopper Detour,” “Michelob Ultra Courtside,” “Contract for Change” and “McEnroe vs McEnroe,” helping FCB earn the Cannes North America Network of the Year accolades for four consecutive years.
Prior to FCB NY, Schmitt held positions at KBS, FCB Chicago, Dentsu and Y&R.
At Grey Group, Schmitt, who is originally from Brazil, will be responsible for fueling a creative-led culture.
“Gabriel is a brilliant creative mind, coupled with transformational business acumen and a genuine instinct for partnership,” said Maness in a statement. “Under his stewardship I am confident Grey will enter its next golden era of creativity, innovation and impact.”
Schmitt will be based in New York and will work closely with recently appointed chief creative officer of Grey New York, Thiago Cruz.
“Grey is built on the belief that fame and effectiveness are not mutually exclusive; quite the opposite, as one feeds the other,” said Schmitt in a statement. “This is 100% what I believe and have always worked towards. I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to lead this amazing group of people and I look forward to shaping an environment that allows us and our clients to do the best work of our careers.”
Maness, who was named global CEO last July, said she had been on the hunt for a world-class creative partner that shares her ambition, values and desire to lead the 105-year-old agency and found it in Schmitt.
“With Gab by my side, I am more confident than ever in our future. This is the beginning of a new era of creativity for Grey, our clients and our industry,” added Maness.