Global brand design agency Jones Knowles Ritchie has hired Gavin May as head of strategy and Olivia Legere as managing director. Both will be based in New York.
May will help strengthen the skills of the strategy team while working to expand the New York office’s brand strategy, identity and experience offerings. Legere will oversee the overall operations and output of the New York team, ensuring it is providing “best in class business and creative solutions for our clients,” according to a statement from the agency.
“Not only is great design central to brand success today, but the values of great design make for brilliant strategic and creative thinking,” May said. “I’m really excited to be able to bring my strategic experience to the team as we broaden and deepen our offering accordingly.”
A little more on May:
Past Agencies: Ogilvy (as group strategy director), Co:Collective (as lead strategist)
Key Previous Client Work: YouTube, American Express, Starbucks, Burger King, Axe, Paddy Power, Ubisoft
Awards: 4A’s Grand Prix, 4A’s gold, APG silver, APG Special Jury Prize for Commercial Effectiveness
Fun facts: May loves traveling, nature and photography, and is also an avid scuba diver.
A little more on Legere:
Work History: Barcardi (director of creative excellence), Droga5 (global group account director)
Key Previous Client Work: Helped establish the North American Center of Excellence for Bacardi and Grey Goose vodka, developed the creative output for Bertolli and Lipton Iced Tea for Unilever
Awards: Cannes gold, Cannes Grand Prix
Fun facts: Legere is passionate about nurturing and mentoring young talent.
“With my leadership positions in both client and agency roles, in addition to my love for consumer brands, it’s a natural fit to be surrounded by JKR talent and the caliber of ambitious brands we are fortunate to work on,” Legere said.