SS+K, a marketing and communications agency known for brand and social impact campaigns, has promoted Stevie Archer, who led the creative for the successful “Looks Like You Need Iceland” campaign, as well as work for LeBron James and the Biden White House, to chief creative officer.
Archer led the award-winning campaign for Visit Iceland, which included real horses typing out-of-office emails, people screaming their frustrations through speakers into the Icelandic wilderness during the height of the pandemic, and a memorable parody of the metaverse.
Archer has also led the creation of a powerful national campaign for JPMorgan Chase to celebrate its investment in the revitalization of Detroit, oversaw rebranding for Smartsheet and Mount Sinai Health System, and helped NBA star James’ More Than a Vote recruit 40,000 poll workers just before Election Day in 2020.
“Stevie turns strikingly imaginative ideas into strategic winners, keeps a step ahead of cultural and political bends in the road, and quarterbacks a team that reliably produces one sublime and disruptive thing after another,” said Mark Kaminsky, a founder and partner at SS&K in a statement. “She’s the right CCO for us and for clients navigating rapid and profound change in this uncertain world.”
Archer, who joined the agency in 2019, began her career as a copywriter and rose the ranks at Mullen, McKinney and Big Spaceship. She has created award-winning campaigns for clients across multiple categories. She was recently named to Adweek’s Creative 100 as an “Agency Leader Defining a New Era.” Her work has resulted in SS+K being named one of Fast Company’s Most innovative Agencies in the world, and has been awarded by Cannes, One Show, Effies, Art Directors Club and D&AD.
“Brands are looking for creative agency partners who can replicate the kind of attention-grabbing messaging that gets people talking and really establishes their identity and unique voice,” said Archer. “You have fractions of a second to connect with people and get your message across. I am so grateful to work with an agency whose leadership and team recognize the importance of building the right strategic foundation to do breakthrough creative work that will connect.”
Business Iceland praised Archer and SS+K for the ingenious approach it took with the Iceland campaign.
“Over the course of several very different campaigns, they were able to capture our spirit in unique and fresh ways. Tourism increased as a result and, most importantly, people from around the world were able to experience the amazing natural beauty and peaceful feelings that Iceland offers. Iceland‘s tourism rebounded faster after the pandemic than any competing destination,” said Sveinn Birkir Björnsson, director of marketing communications at Business Iceland in a statement.
SS+K, which states that it is an agency that combines the rigor of political strategy and the power of creativity to help brands navigate, create, and lead meaningful change, was the youth agency of record for the 2008 and 2012 Obama presidential campaigns and has been involved in numerous purpose-driven efforts, counting the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Emily’s List, the Michelle Obama Let’s Move campaign and others as part of its client roster.