• by Larissa Faw , November 5, 2014

They are passing the torch at consumer brand advertising agency BPN (which has no connection with the IPG media agency similarly named). Longtime CEO and Creative Director Terry Schneider is retiring after 20 years at the helm of BPN’s creative department, and seven years as CEO. 

Replacing him are two industry veterans, one internally and another external. Lori Gaffney, who has served as president of BPN since 2012, will become CEO. She will also retain her duties as president. And Mark Waggoner, most recently chief creative officer at Blast Radius, will become executive creative director. 

Now, Gaffney says her top priority is to grow the agency business. While Waggoner's top priority will be to drive great creative from its creative department.

“Searching for an Executive Creative Director who could fill the shoes of Terry Schneider was no easy task,” said Gaffney. “Mark’s track record as a Creative Director who transforms teams and generates substantial results for clients and agencies alike is unmatched.”  

These two new leaders bring substantial experience to their positions. Prior to joining BPN as media director in 1999, Gaffney was Associate Media Director at Wieden+Kennedy. Waggoner has held creative director positions at Razorfish, Wieden+Kennedy and Publicis West.

This executive changeover was simply about Schneider deciding it was time for him to step back and enjoy retirement. He will not continue to be involved with the 25-employee agency. 

Founded in 1977, the Portland-based creative agency works with clients such as K&N, Oregon Lottery, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory, Old World Industries, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, Valvoline, Restoration Hardware, Surfrider Foundation, and the Portland Trail Blazers.