JWT Looks to Kemp to Energize Creative Team

J. Walter Thompson executives here are hoping Rick Kemp’s sometimes controversial style can energize the agency’s 60-person creative department.

“Pushing the creative envelope is a big part of what he is able to do,” said JWT Chicago president Brian Heffernan, who will be Kemp’s direct superior.

Kemp, 40, assumes the title of evp, executive creative director. The post was previously held by Dennis Ryan, who left in late November to take the lead creative position at Omnicom-owned Element 79 Partners, which handles $400 million of PepsiCo business.