• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, May 4, 2016

BBDO New York has promoted Kirsten Flanik to President of the agency, part of Omnicom Group, effective immediately. 

In her new role, Flanik will report to John Osborn who, for the past 12 years, has served in the dual roles of President and CEO, BBDO New York.

Flanik was most recently Managing Director at the shop. 

“BBDO New York is a dramatically different agency than it was five years ago,” stated  Osborn.  “We’ve experienced significant growth and expanded into burgeoning categories like retail, healthcare and BtoB.” As a result, he added the agency is expanding its leadership with Flanik’s promotion to manage the growth.

Flanik joined BBDO New York in 2006 to oversee the Mars U.S. business.  Since then, she’s expanded her role to include responsibilities on a broad range of clients including ExxonMobil, FedEx and, most recently, Tropicana.  She runs the agency’s pro bono Autism Speaks account and chairs the agency’s Women’s Leadership Council.  She’s been named a “Woman to Watch” and one of the “100 Most Influential Women in Advertising.”  Earlier this year, New York Business Journal selected her as a “Woman of Influence.”

Flanik’s promotion is the latest in a series of management changes at the agency.  Last year Tina Allen joined BBDO New York in the new role of Head of Data and Analytics.  And Crystal Rix was named Director of Business Development. 

In the past 12 months, BBDO New York has added new business from clients like Bacardi, Humana, Priceline.com, Subway, Toys “R” Us and Tropicana.