- CP+B
CP+B tapped Rupert Samuel as executive director of content production. He will oversee all production for the four CP+B offices in the US as well as consulting with the agency's global offices. A London native, Samuel began his career at CP+B. Following an internship, he became a key member of the production group. He was named vice president of integrated production at CP+B in 2002, overseeing all forms of campaign production for clients including MINI, AND 1 and Burger King. During his time at CP+B, he produced numerous Cannes Grand Prix and Titanium award-winning campaigns and worked with directors like Spike Jonze and Wes Anderson. In 2007, he became one of the founders of Goodness Manufacturing, an agency that was acquired by Trailer Park, an entertainment marketing firm. While there, Samuel developed an entertainment industry production department of more than 150 people spanning broadcast, live action, digital, interactive, motion graphics and non-traditional media to serve brand client needs. "CP+B is literally family to me," said Samuel. "I couldn't be more excited to be headed back to where it all started and be reunited with the agency and everyone there. To get to work with CP+B, and be a part of their culture that's now gone global, is an amazing opportunity and I can't wait to get back and start crushing it in 2015." Chuck Porter, Chairman of CP+B, added: "He's a rare talent, he sees things in ways that others don't, he's not afraid to take bold steps and big chances and he never takes no for an answer. With budgets and timelines continuing to contract, you have to be more inventive and opportunistic than ever to do great work. Those are the exact traits that make Rupert so special and we're really happy to have him back."
- VML
VML promoted two employees in its Chicago office. Jeremy Schutte was promoted to managing director and executive creative director and Dawn Ridge was elevated to managing director, client engagement. Schutte transferred from VML Seattle to lead the VML Chicago office under Jane Tamraz, alongside Dawn Ridge. In is new role, Schutte will be responsible for talent development, creative growth and further evolving innovative solutions for existing and new clients. Schutte joined VML in 2000, and helped establish VML Seattle in 2005. He brings 19 years of experience ranging from identity development to brand advertising and has worked with clients such as Microsoft, T-Mobile, Crocs, PetSmart, Sprint, Burger King and H&R Block. In her new role, Ridge will co-lead the VML Chicago office with Schutte, reporting to Tamraz. She is responsible for Kimberly-Clark North America Family Care, Global Marketing University and Tazo accounts. Ridge will also focus on talent development. She joined Biggs|Gilmore in 2009 as an account director. VML acquired Biggs|Gilmore in November, 2013. - MUH-TAY-ZIK | HOF-FER
MUH-TAY-ZIK | HOF-FER hired Eric Perko as director of media. He joins the agency from DigitasLBi San Francisco, where he was a founding and inaugural member of the DigitasLBi media department, where he led the digital media efforts for Taco Bell. Prior to working with DigitasLBi, Perko led efforts for eBay, Google, Skype and Cisco. "Eric brings a great new stripe to this agency," said John Matejcyzk, co-founder and executive creative director, MUH-TAY-ZIK | HOF-FER. "He is a natural leader of both people and ideas. He is always looking for ways to develop more innovative approaches for brands. He integrates deeply with clients and creatives alike to help us all understand opportunities we didn't know were in front of us." Perko is dedicated to pushing the media industry and reinventing the digital landscape. He places a great deal of focus on developing strategies that will connect consumers with brands in ways that yield measurable results. "Eric knows how to push media boundaries for the better," said Matt Hofherr, Co-founder and Director of Strategy at MUH-TAY-ZIK | HOF-FER. "His media mind is part creative, math, business and innovator all-in-one." - Publicis Worldwide Australia
Iona Macgregor has joined Publicis Worldwide Australia as chief strategy officer. Most recently, Macgregor was managing director and head of strategy at France-based agency, Marcel, part of the Publicis Worldwide global network. While there, Macgregor was responsible for the agency's brand and digital strategies covering strategic planning, social media, creative technology and business development. She will be based in Sydney. "We are extraordinarily lucky to have Iona bring her talents to our Australia operations," said Andrew Baxter, CEO of Publicis WW Australia. "Her arrival accelerates our plans to lead the industry at both brand engagement and customer engagement. On the brand engagement side we have a strong ambition to deliver famous work and continue the proud creative history of Publicis Mojo." Loris Nold, CEO of APAC & Emerging Markets at Publicis Worldwide, added: "Iona is a fantastic addition for us in the region. With her background she will be instrumental in driving our ambition to be the preferred creative partner of our clients in their digital transformation." - la comunidad
Jake Wheeler joined SapientNitro's la comunidad as creative director. Wheeler joins the agency from Grey New York where he led the Volvo North America business. Prior to Grey, Wheeler was creative director at SapientNitro, splitting his time between Miami and Shanghai. While there, he led projects for Ferrari and ran the U.S. digital business for FIAT Chrysler. He also oversaw projects for Bacardi, Tag Heuer and Microsoft in China. At la comunidad, Wheeler will report to ose and Joaquin Molla, chief creative officer's at the agency. "I think there are incredible opportunities for a group like la comunidad that harnesses ideas and talent globally," said Wheeler. "Younger audiences live in a cross-cultural reality, not just here, but around the world. We're uniquely positioned to thrive in this area."
- Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report founder and general manager Dave Finocchio and Sam Parnell, chief technology officer, will assume new strategic advisory roles with the division beginning in 2015. Aligned with the transition, Dorth Raphaely has been elevated to general manager of Bleacher Report and Rory Brown has been named chief content officer, the division's top leadership positions. - Dynamit
Dynamit named two long-time agency leaders -- Jamie Timm and Phil Franks -- as partners in the company. - Turner Network Sales
Turner Network Sales (TNS) division, the domestic distribution, sales and marketing arm of Turner, promoted John Harran to senior vice president of business & product development and Michael Quigley to senior vice president of brand distribution. - MEC Global Solutions
MEC Global Solutions, MEC's international hub based in London, hired three to join its international strategy team in addition to the three senior strategists already in place. Chris Worrell joins as group strategy director; Francis Turner joins as strategy director and Filippo Giannelli joins as a strategist. - E!
John Najarian has been named executive vice president, news and digital for E!, taking on oversight of the network's News division and E! News series, while continuing to lead E!'s digital growth and business development. In addition, Jen Neal has been named executive vice president, marketing for E! Entertainment and Esquire Network, adding oversight of brand strategy and all marketing activity for Esquire Network to her existing responsibilities as head of E! marketing. - Curiosity Advertising
Curiosity Advertising, a Cincinnati-based advertising agency, announced the launch of a new media services department. Jen Burdell-King joins the agency as media director to oversee the launch and future growth of the media department. - R/GA
R/GA hired Joe Tomasulo as executive vice president, global chief financial officer and promoted Nick Coronges to global chief technology officer; Chris Colborn to executive vice president, global chief design and innovation officer; and Richard Ting to executive vice president, global chief of experience design. All four will be based in R/GA's New York headquarters. - Cablevision Systems Corporation
Cablevision Systems Corporation tapped Mickey Paxton as senior vice president and executive director of creative services. He is responsible for the creative execution of Cablevision's marketing and brand initiatives supporting the company's full suite of Optimum-branded products and services. - R&R Partners
R&R Partners named Ron Eagle to the new position of senior vice president of public relations. He will be based in the agency's Las Vegas headquarters while managing public relations teams across nine offices. - Slim Pictures
Slim Pictures signed directors Peter Goeltenboth & Florian Giefer, better known as Pet & Flo. - MARC USA Chicago
MARC USA Chicago hired Bill McCarthy as vice president/account director where he will oversee True Value Hardware and the agency’s newly won Navistar Inc. account. Most recently he was digital sales manager for CBS Radio. Susan Bertocchi joined the agency as senior vice president/creative director responsible for the Payless ShoeSource account. Prior to MARC USA, she worked for Ryan Partnership, overseeing creative for Nicorette, Tums, Abreva and Aquafresh. - Millennium Communications
Millennium Communications hired Angela Florie and J.J. Gembinski as interactive project managers. - HYFN
HYFN hired Adam Gerston as vice president of client partnerships. Gerston previously was vice president of partnerships at SHIFT, spearheading the development of the company's Open Marketing Cloud, and driving new business on the west coast. - R&R Partners
Carlos Arambula has joined R&R Partners in the new position of vice president of Hispanic marketing, based in Los Angeles. Diego Valesquez and his team at CMV Publicidad in Mexico City, have joined R&R Partners as the firm's ninth office and first international location. As coach general of R&R's Mexico office, Valesquez will work closely with Arambula to grow the company's cross-border client base. - JUICE Mobile
JUICE Mobile named Rebecca Shropshire as vice president of sales for Canada. - Saxton Horne Communications
Saxton Horne Communications hired Kaylan Malm as director of analytics. - Opia
Opia hired Lance Wayman as head of U.S. sales. - Stardust
Stardust hired Shannon Lords as executive producer/L.A. - Bloomberg View
Bloomberg View added Justin Fox as a columnist covering corporate strategy and trends, innovation, and the broad business landscape. - NYLON.com
Gabrielle Korn has been named senior editor of NYLON.com. - JAMM
VFX supervisors Andy Boyd, Jake Montgomery and Asher Edwards have launched JAMM, and their first job is a spot for the Super Bowl. - Simulmedia
Simulmedia hired Kelly Mead as vice president, program management. - Lattice Engines
Lattice Engines, a provider of cloud-based predictive marketing and sales applications, hired Patrick Donnelly as senior vice president of sales. - Krux
Krux opened its first company office in Tokyo and has appointed Masahiro Kano as country manager. Kano will help establish Krux’s presence in Japan including building a local staff, leading the company’s business development and contributing to growing its marketing efforts throughout the region. - The Washington Post
The Washington Post hired Jed Hartman as chief revenue officer. He is the former group publisher for Time Inc. news and business. - Framestore
Framestore added Alex Pejic, Stephane Naze, Nigel Denton-Howes and Oscar-winner George Murphy as VFX supervisors in its London and Montreal film offices. - Niche Media
Niche Media promoted Maria Blondeaux to chief operating officer. - TheAtlantic.com
Matt Thompson joined TheAtlantic.com as deputy editor. - McGowan Crain
McGowan Crain hired Madeleine Flucke as an account manager. Flucke has been an account management intern at the agency since May. - Tremor Video
Tremor Video hired Utpal Kalita as head of engineering. - Metia
Metia tapped Mark Pinsent as managing director, London.
