After Stagwell acquired West Coast creative shop Wolfgang in October, the agency is making creative moves, promoting Adam Stockton and Mike Van Linda to executive creative directors. The two will report to Wolfgang co-founder and CCO Colin Jeffery.
In addition, the agency has named Emma Zakes Green and Sally Lee ACDs.
Van Linda has been with Wolfgang since 2020 and has over two decades of sports, gaming, tech and automotive experience. His many awards include Gold Lions, One Show Pencils, a Grand Clio and being named to Adweek’s Creative 100 in 2018. He previously held positions at RPA, 180 LA, The Martin Agency and 72andSunny.
Stockton joined Wolfgang in 2021 and has worked across multiple categories including tech, CPG, retail, sports, finance and insurance. He was previously at The Martin Agency and Arts & Letters Creative, and is a guest lecturer on design at VCU Brandcenter.
This past year, Van Linda and Stockton helped Adidas North America rebrand its baseball and softball divisions as one gender-unified entity, Adidas Dugout. They also helped pitch and win creative AOR for the Halo Top account.
The duo will share creative leadership duties across Wolfgang’s client roster, which also includes Georgia Pacific, Tailored Brands, Glanbia and SCUF Gaming, among others. Prior to reuniting at Wolfgang, Van Linda and Stockton were creative partners at the Martin Agency.
“For the past few years, Wolfgang has been the perfect place for creativity to flourish. We have amazing brand partners, strong internal leadership and a production arm that allows our creatives to flex into other endeavors. Adam and I are honored and humbled to help write Wolfgang’s next chapter,” said Van Linda in a statement.
Zakes Green, a 2021 One Club Next Creative Leader, was previously at TBWA\Chiat\Day LA and 180LA and has a background in theater, film and music. Zakes Green’s work has garnered multiple awards, including a Gold Lion and several Gold Pencils in 2022.
ACD art director Lee joined from the Martin Agency and brings experience in automotive, fashion and retail, CPG, insurance and finance. Her work’s been recognized by The Clios, The Webbys and The Effies. Lee and Zakes Green will work across Wolfgang’s portfolio of clients, as well as directing content for Wolfgang Studios.