• by Larissa Faw , September 23, 2014

Digital marketing agency Level Studios, part of Publicis Groupe, continues to rearrange its executive team by promoting Deborah Heslip from VP Client Services to Partner, responsible for leading existing client relationships and new business efforts, as well as managing the client services effort across the agency. She will oversee more than 25 staffers in Level's rapidly growing Client Services Discipline. 

Heslip’s promotion follows the recent appointment of former Partner Dan Connolly to President of Level Studios, a new position. Connolly is now focused on the expansion of Level Studios through new client business, building out the agency’s core components, and leading market-facing business initiatives.

Heslip said, “My diversified agency and industry experience has given me the ability to grow teams, mentor young leaders and strengthen client relationships. I am thrilled to take on this expanded leadership role within Level Studios.”

These appointments are a result of this agency's emergence as a formidable independent shop. Originally, Publicis Groupe created Level Studios as a new digital marketing agency within its Rosetta division to focus specifically on Apple. Now, Publicis has repositioned Level as a stand-alone agency with 125 employees across offices located in California and the United Kingdom.

"As Level continues along a path of growth and expansion, we often find ourselves needing to quickly hire the industry’s best talent across creative, technology and clients services in order to keep up with the demand for our services," says Heslip. "It can at times be a challenge to hire as quickly as we need to."

Still, Heslip's expertise in traditional, advertising, and digital media makes her well suited for her new position. She first joined Level Studios in August of 2013 after previously working at Enlighten Digital Marketing in Ann Arbor, MI, where she served as Group Account Director. Prior to that, she held the role of Vice President Account Director at Doner Advertising. Over her 19 year career, she has worked with brands, including Minute Maid, Six Flags Theme Parks, John Frieda, Jergens, Bioré, and Ford. 

The agency has not yet announced her replacement as VP Client Services.