The first work week of September is closing out with some exciting hires, promotions and relocations switching up the industry this week.
Alkemy X
Commercial and film director Dean Blumberg is joining Alkemy X’s directorial roster for U.S. commercial representation. Blumberg has worked on spots for brands including KFC, Virgin and Toyota—and celebrity campaigns with talents Sir Ben Kingsley and William Shatner.
Barrett
Advertising agency Barrett promoted three employees to associate partners to support the agency’s significant growth. Those employees include Robert Woods, Brad Kayak and Charlotte Dugoni.
Collins
Astrid Stravo, an internationally-renowned designer, is joining Collins as vice president, creative director. In this role, Stravo will help Collins deliver small studio-style craft against the industry’s largest problems.
Dentsu Creative
Dentsu Creative—the sole creative network for Dentsu International—appointed Rafael Rizuto as chief creative officer of U.S./Hispanic LATAM. Rizuto will report to Fred Levron, global chief creative officer, Dentsu International. With Rizuto’s remit including both a focus on U.S. and Hispanic LATAM, the appointment further marks the expansion of Dentsu Creative’s leadership team—and showcases the network’s commitment to creative excellence. Rizuto joins from BBH US, where he served as CCO across its New York and L.A. offices.
Digitas
Digitas promoted Chris Loeffler from executive vice president at Digitas Chicago to managing director, West Coast region. Loeffler will work to strengthen the agency’s core services across digitally-led creative and media.
Fuseideas
Fuseideas expanded its team with five new hires. Dave Cooper joined as account director, Ben Dilly as creative director, copywriter, Simran Gulati as account manager, Nick Landry as business development director and Emma Montanile as finance intern.
Harmelin Media
Lawrence Donaldson was promoted to vice president at Harmelin Media. Donaldson has been at the agency for three years, driving innovation, developing media capabilities and partnerships and overseeing team strategy.
Imagination
Global experience design company Imagination promoted Nick Blenkarne to head of strategy U.K. In this role, Blenkaren will work to grow the practice through consultancy services and experience-led marketing campaigns.
Little Minx
Production company Little Minx signed filmmaker Rodney Lucas to its directorial roster for commercial and content representation. The Brooklyn-based filmmaker has directed short documentaries, commercials and branded content for clients like Nike, Amazon, Beats by Dre and Vice.
Ogilvy
Ogilvy promoted Devika Bulchandani from global president and CEO of Ogilvy North America to global chief executive officer. Bulchandani will oversee all business across 131 offices in 93 countries.
Squeak E. Clean Studios
Kleio Kolitsopoulos is joining Squeak E. Clean studios as a producer out of its NYC studio. Bringing more than 10 years of experience in storytelling through sound, Kleio will produce a wide range of projects for the studio.
The Community
Global creative agency The Community hired Lee Maicon as chief strategy officer. Bringing over 25 years of industry experience, Maicon will lead global strategy for the agency across the U.S. and Latin America.
The Washington Post Creative Group
The Washington Post Creative Group is welcoming Mary Gail Pezzimenti as its head of creative. In this role, Pezzimenti will craft the vision, purpose and innovation roadmap for The Washington Post’s in-house brand content studio, while delivering exceptional storytelling experiences to readers and brand partners.
ThoughtMatter
Jessie McGuire was named the first managing partner of ThoughtMatter, a New York brand design studio focused on building modern, culturally-resonant brands through its influence as a POC-led, women-run agency.
Unicorns & Unicorns
Unicorns & Unicorns welcomed executive producer Mercedes Allen-Sarria to its team. Allen-Sarria brings a unique set of on-the-ground experience—and expertise gained from a career fostering relationships between production, agencies, directors, unions and the commercial industry, as well as her current role as a board member of the AICP.
Valtech
Valtech hired Marc Maleh as its senior vice president, emerging technology and connected experiences. Bringing two decades of experience at companies including R/GA, Havas and Crypto.com, Maleh will support the growing global demand for Valtech’s services in innovative customer experiences.
VaynerMedia
VaynerMedia formed a new EMEA leadership team by harnessing the skills of internal team members. Daisy Domenghini was promoted to managing director for EMEA— and VJ Anand is relocating to London to become executive creative director of EMEA.