Agencies around the world are preparing for growth in 2024 by appointing new leadership across the board.
Art Directors Guild
The Art Directors Guild is inducting Lawrence G. Paull into its hall of fame. The legendary production designer passed in 2019, and is remembered for his work on films including Blade Runner, Back to the Future, City Slickers and Harlem Nights.
BETC Paris
BETC Paris is welcoming new international talent to its creative department. Daniela de Seta joins as creative director in Italy, Nick Bakshi as creative director in the U.S., Abi Stephenson and Matt Jones as creative in the U.K., Tristan Lenczner and Simon Carr as copywriter and art director in the U.K. and Marcelo Carvalho as art director in Portugal.
ColinKurtis Advertising
ColinKurtis Advertising promoted Carrie Livingston to vice president of media relations. In this role, Livingston now leads the agency’s media relations team, building relationships between clients, publishing partners and industry leaders.
Crosby
Crosby welcomed award-winning creative director Alison Hammer to its team as senior vp. Hammer will lead the agency’s creative teams to develop impactful campaigns for health care organizations, federal agencies and nonprofit causes.
DDB WW
DDB WW named Tomas Gonsorcik as its global chief strategy officer. Gonsorcik will oversee the strategy practice across all of DDB’s global network of creative agency.
Expedia Group Brands
Kevin Tenglin and Luke Harris were elevated to co-lead creative marketing for Expedia Group Brands. The two will oversee the global creative marketing organization’s portfolio of brands including Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan opened a new office in Detroit and made some personnel changes alongside that move. John Tews was promoted to senior vp and general manager of the agency, and Erika Hoeft was hired as vp of the Detroit office.
Guru
Guru is bolstering its leadership team as it pursues market expansion. Emilee Bumgarner joins as associate creative director, Oliver McCutchen Jr. as senior copywriter and creative lead and Kevin VanValkenburgh as director of connections.
Halo
Halo welcomed strategist Matt Crisp to its team. Crisp will work alongside the agency’s team and clients to develop strategies and creative solutions to improve business performance and audience experience.
Harmelin Media
Harmelin Media promoted Jen Harlacher to chief operating officer. Harlacher will oversee media services, which includes eight specialized account teams, the strategic planning practice, media activation and buying, technology and human resources.
Hey Wonderful
Hey Wonderful signed action-comedy director Cassandra Brooksbank for commercials and branded entertainment. Brooksbank is known for her opposition to being boring, and has directed spots for Pepsi, Rexona and General Tire.
Immediate Media Co
Immediate Media Co appointed Dan Hutson as managing director of weight management and dietary improvement platform Nutracheck. Hutson will work to accelerate growth for Nutracheck and develop content and service offerings for Immediate.
Iris
Iris reshaped its strategy team to better position itself as “The Participation Agency” globally. Chris Whitson was promoted to global chief strategy officer, Peter Wilson was elevated to executive strategy director and Karen Correia de Silva was named as senior strategy director.
Local Heroes
Former CEO of Forsman & Bodenfors, Guy Hayward, launched Local Heroes. The new agency will utilize the skills and know-how of global agencies to support local businesses everywhere.
London Alley
London Alley named Zeeshan Rashid as director of finance. Rashid will work to align financial strategies between the agencies’ creative and production ambitions.
Mediavine
Mediavine named Jamie Lieberman as chief legal officer. Lieberman will oversee the global legal and compliance functions, as well as overall business strategy.
Newsweek
Newsweek named Bharat Krish as its first chief product officer. Krish birings 20 years of experience delivering digital strategy and cutting edge products designed to drive exponential growth.
Publishers Clearing House Media
Publishers Clearing House Media appointed Tim Braz as chief revenue officer. Braz will work to bolster corporate growth and empower marketings with zero- and first-party data and identity solutions.
Rapp
Rapp named Amit Deshpande as global chief marketing sciences officer. Deshpande will lead the agency’s global marketing science practice, spearheading data-driven approaches to better client campaigns and customer experiences, while driving measurable results.
Rethink
Rethink named Don Sheflord as executive creative director. Sheflord will help lead Vancouver’s creative team, including building and mentoring the growing staff.
Spark Foundry U.K.
Spark Foundry U.K. appointed three new leaders to support its next phase of growth. Marcos Angelides and Kate Anthony were named joint managing directors and Nigel Waring was appointed as chief operating officer.
Spectrum Reach
Spectrum Reach appointed Daniel Callahan as group vp, national sales. Callahan will lead all parts of national revenue generation for the companies.
Stagwell
Stagwell is expanding its global presence with a new office in London and new leadership appointments. James Townsend was named as EMEA CEO and Rick Acampora was appointed as CEO of Assembly.
Unicorns & Unicorns
Unicorns & Unicorns welcomed Ryan Feng to its collective of creatives. The director has worked with industry leading clients like Gillette, Nike, Adidas, Jameson and Def Jam.
Wavemaker U.K.
Wavemaker U.K. appointed Irin Rahman as chief data and technology officer. Rahman will work to lead data and technology for agency clients.
Young & Laramore
Young & Laramore named Kari O’Neill as an agency principal. O’Neill will continue serving as vp of strategy as she takes on this expanded role.