SapientNitro on Tuesday named Jake Benjamin as its new creative director in New York. Most recently, Benjamin served as a senior copywriter for Goodby Silverstein & Partners. There he took part in
developing the Hyundai 'Assurance' campaign, which offered customers the chance to return their car if they lost their job. The campaign earned a Titanium award at Cannes.
"Jake ... brings
unexpected solutions to every client he works with," said Kathy Delaney, head of creative for North America for SapientNitro.
Sapient bought the Nitro Group for $50 million in June of 2009. The
deal turned the Web design-oriented Sapient into a shop with added technology expertise. Nitro also brought with it 300 employees; offices in New York, London and Shanghai; and clients, including
Nike, ConAgra and Volvo.
Earlier this year, Sapient fully integrated Nitro to create a single brand. SapientNitro now operates as an integrated agency headed by Gaston Legorburu and Chris
Clarke as co-executive directors and co-chief creative officers.
In May, Chrysler Group named SapientNitro as its digital agency of record. The appointment followed a review earlier in the year
that included incumbent Organic and Meredith-owned Genex.
SapientNitro now oversees interactive duties for all Chrysler Group brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Ram Truck, and Jeep.
The
scope of services will include interactive experiences, site design and development, and online advertising, in addition to digital work across the spectrum of the Chrysler Group businesses -- from
online promotions across the nameplates and support for the multiple international Web sites, to corporate content and dealer support.
Additional SapientNitro clients include Citi, The
Coca-Cola Company, Mars, Singapore Airlines, Target, and Vodafone through its operations in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
During his 12-year career, Benjamin has written copy for, as
well as created and directed campaigns, for clients including Tide, Hyundai and the ASPCA.