Michael Lowenstern has joined the New York offices of Amazon Media Group as group creative director, reporting directly to executive creative director Anthony Reeves.
Amazon confirmed the hire but declined to comment further. R/GA did not respond to an email regarding the news.
Lowenstern joins Amazon following over four years as vice president, digital advertising at R/GA New York. Lowenstern founded the agency’s digital advertising group upon his arrival in 2008, taking on varying roles including copywriter, developer, creative strategist and client partner for brands including Verizon, Pepsi, Samsung and Walmart, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Before joining R/GA, he served as vice president, director of rich media for MRM Worldwide, following over eight years with G2 Direct and Digital (formerly Grey Direct), forming its Flash development department in 1998 and serving as display advertising group director. He also spent nearly a dozen years playing bass clarinet for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
News of Lowenstern’s departure coincides with Steven Moy joining R/GA as U.S. chief technology officer. It also comes while the agency is pitching for the Lay’s creative account, along with BBDO, CP+B, TBWA\Chiat\Day and Deep Focus and follows the expansion of its relationship with Samsung earlier this spring.
