Danny Robinson has been named CEO of The Martin Agency, taking on the leadership responsibilities from Kristen Cavallo, who has led The Martin Agency for the past six years and was named global CEO of sister agency MullenLowe Group in November 2022.
Robinson has been with The Martin Agency for nearly two decades, serving most recently as its chief creative officer since 2020. He has overseen some of Martin’s most recognizable work, including the UPS brand transformation, TIAA’s “The Dre$$,” and, most recently, the viral campaign from Solo Stove that featured Snoop Dogg.
“Moving from CCO to CEO is uncommon, but it shouldn’t be. Our industry has become increasingly focused on consolidation and efficiencies, and we need to return the conversation to creativity,” said Cavallo. “Some of the industry’s most enviable work has been made by agencies led by creative people. Too often, they leave to start their own agency to be taken seriously as business leaders. Danny has held roles across the agency in preparation for just this moment.”
Prior to his CCO role, Robinson held positions at the agency including group creative director and chief client officer.
“Martin has an executive committee that works as a team on every major decision facing the organization and I have been an integral part of the team for the last five years. I’ve seen firsthand what can be accomplished when we all row together. Kristen, the entire executive team and all our people and partners have set this agency up for what will be its best chapter yet,” said Robinson in a statement, adding that Martin will continue to lean into its mission to fight invisibility.
Before joining The Martin Agency in 2004, Robinson was co-founder of Vigilante, the cultural insights-driven creative shop behind the famous Oprah Winfrey Pontiac giveaway (which gave way to the famous line, “You get a car! And you get a car!”) and known for Heineken’s iconic “The Nod.” During his tenure at Vigilante, the agency was named the AAAA Multicultural Agency of the Year for two consecutive years.
Philippe Krakowsky, CEO of IPG, noted that Robinson’s quiet contributions helped lead The Martin Agency forward.
“He knows our business, our clients, and the industry. As importantly, he believes in the power of our industry to do good. Though he would likely not describe himself as such, Danny is a creative visionary, and I’m sure the contributions he can make to this storied agency as its CEO will be significant,” said Krakowsky.
In addition to his award-winning creative work, founding and leading his own agency and helping earn The Martin Agency top recognitions such as Adweek Agency of the Year 2020 and 2021 since stepping into the role of CCO, Robinson has a track record of pushing the industry forward through his efforts in the DEI space.
Robinson sits on the board of Creative Ladder, a non-profit that increases the accessibility of creative careers for people of all backgrounds. Robinson also helped bring Martin’s “Now Upon a Time” series of stories to life, including authoring “Lil Ruby Riding Hood,” the book and now award-winning animated feature. He is also on The One Club for Creativity’s board of directors.
Robinson, along with Martin’s leadership team, led the growth efforts of the agency’s portfolio as they won several new clients over the last year, including Papa Johns, Skrewball, MiracleGro and a range of brands from Sanofi North America.
The next chief creative officer of The Martin Agency will be named in February.