No April fooling here. As brands try to pull one over on consumers, the continuing saga of agency moves, partnerships and new hires continues without a joke this week.
So, with nary a jest, gag, stunt or caper to be had, let’s take a spin through this week’s Revolving Door Roundup.
1stAveMachine
1stAveMachine has added executive producer Kate Hitchings. She is formerly an executive producer for Electric Theatre Collective and later its sister company, Friends Electric. In her new role, she will support an environment where visual storytellers of all types and experience-levels can grow.
ArtClass
Production company ArtClass has signed director Shaun Collings for representation. The veteran director and creative director, who has directed for Under Armour, ESPN, Nike and Taylor Made, will focus on commercials, promos and branded content for ArtClass.
Contend
Creative studio Contend has split with Mosaic after being part of the company’s roster for the last four years. The now independent Contend has appointed former TBWA\Chiat\Day, AKQA and 180 veteran David Blaser as its new president. The studio will continue to collaborate with Mosaic on future projects.
Duncan Channon
Duncan Channon has named Jamie Katz as the agency’s first director of account management and operations. In the new role, Katz will be responsible for structuring client partnerships, managing client business relationships and optimizing team staffing and operations.
Katz previously served as director of account management, heading up the agency’s 14 person account department and leading key client relationships. As part of her promotion, she will work closely with chief financial officer Renee Phipps and director of collaboration and equity Kumi Croom to assess each client account and ensure operations support business relationships.
In addition to her agency operations role, Katz will continue to lead the Ferrara Candy Co. account, and co-lead the California Department of Public Health Covid-19 vaccine business.
Engine
Media and marketing services company Engine has signed consumer finance marketplace Credible as a client. Engine won the business after competing against four other agencies. The scope of work includes research, strategy, media consulting and creative.
Engine and Credible are working on an initial campaign, including TV, radio and digital, that will launch this summer.
“We’re excited to be working with Credible to help them distinguish their unique value propositions in the hyper-competitive fin-tech market,” said Steve Scutellaro, svp, managing director, Engine Agency.
Finn Partners
Global marketing and communications agency Finn Partners has appointed two new managing partners in Asia, Singapore-based Naeema Ismail and Shanghai-based Jenny Lo.
Ismail has been promoted from senior partner and General Manager, Ying PR. She takes on overall responsibility for the Singapore operations. Lo, previously general manager, china, has been promoted to managing partner, China, responsible for growing the agency’s footprint in client and talent acquisition.
In addition, Singapore-based managing partners Allan Tan and Yin Ching Yeap will become executive advisors for Asia.
Kelly Scott Madison
Texas Children’s Hospital has named Kelly Scott Madison as its media agency of record. The agency’s health and wellness division will provide new approaches to patient, physician and community outreach efforts, handling all media strategy, investment and analytics duties.
“The prospect of working with a partner like Kelly Scott Madison that understands how to go beyond topline metrics was critical in our decision-making process. They plan to deliver predictive modeling, precise audience targeting and measurement to ensure we maintain an optimal media mix, and connect with our communities in meaningful moments,” a hospital spokesperson said.
Luckie
Independent marketing agency Luckie has hired Jamie Sawyer as strategic engagement director. In this Birmingham, Alabama-based role, Sawyer will provide strategic leadership for the agency’s longtime client, Regions Bank. Sawyer was most recently vice president of digital marketing and director of social media for Raycom Media.
Merge
Candace Graham has joined storytelling technology company Merge as senior vice president, group business development leader. She will lead Merge’s business development in the west region, including Chicago, Kansas City and Orange County.
Graham won two Effie awards for marketing effectiveness for leading the Alltel Wireless account while at Campbell Ewald.
Tagboard
Cloud-based production platform Tagboard has promoted Nathan Peterson to president. He was previously chief revenue officer and head of marketing.
The company also promoted Tyler Singletary to chief product officer; Christine Chalk to senior vice president of creative services; Lynn Maikke to senior vice president of finance; David Minetti to senior vice president of sales; and Stephanie Smith to vice president of culture.
Tattoo Projects
Charlotte, North Carolina agency Tattoo Projects has expanded its leadership team with multiple new hires. Chad Brophy has been named president, overseeing operations and new business.
Kayla Zarecky has been promoted to executive director, social, from her previous position as senior social media strategist. Emmy Award winner William Boyer has joined the agency as executive director, video content,
Also joining the agency are Lesley Brown, executive director, client services; Katie Crane, executive director, digital; Elizabeth Blasi, senior account executive; Mary-Margaret Banner, business development, account executive; Anna Rissanen, art director; and Becky Radford, project manager, producer.
Thinkingbox
Global creative collective Thinkingbox has appointed Alyssa Campbell as executive producer and Kristain Oliveira-Barnes as director of media at sister company AntiSocial Solutions in Toronto and Vancouver, respectively. Thinkingbox announced its acquisition of AntiSocial Solutions in May 2020.
Campbell and Oliveira-Barnes are tasked with driving growth for AntiSocial Solutions on the East Coast. Campbell joins from Leo Burnett Toronto, while Olivera-Barnes comes to Thinkingbox from Major Tom in Vancouver.
Wild Gift
Production veterans David Mitchell and Tomer DeVito have founded creative collective Wild Gift, a production company working across all formats with a curated roster of industry talent. Mitchell will serve as managing director, running the company’s day-to-day business, with DeVito as a collaborating executive producer.
Mitchell was most recently managing director and producer at Ridley Scott’s RSA Films for over two decades. DeVito was at RSA Films before founding independent creative boutique Native Content in 2010, where he also remains as managing director.
Wunderman Thompson
Aaron Howe has been named executive creative director at Wunderman Thompson Los Angeles. In the role he will oversee all creative for Wunderman Thompson L.A.
Howe has worked at Wunderman Thompson for over seven years—and previously with Possible. In his career he has created integrated campaigns for brands including Activision, AT&T, Microsoft, Target and VW. He replaces Valerie Carlson and will report to Andrew Solmssen, president, California, Wunderman Thompson.