• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, July 29, 2016

WPP’s Young & Rubicam has opened a new office in Memphis, TN, which will service the U.S. Navy account. 

The agency won a new ad contract from the Navy last year that could run five years if the annual options are renewed with a potential total value of $457 million. 

Y&R is running the account in partnership with sibling agencies VML, Wunderman, Burson-Marsteller and MEC. The company has already hired a staff of 50 for the office to service the assignment which is focused primarily on recruitment. 

Y&R Memphis will be led by Ken Dowling, the Global Client Leader for the Navy Partnership as well as the Managing Director of the new Y&R Memphis.  He will also spearhead business development, building the agency’s capabilities and client roster.  

Ryan Blum will partner with Dowling as Executive Creative Director, helping him lead The Navy partnership and launch the Memphis office. Blum recently joined Y&R from Publicis Seattle.