• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, April 8, 2014

Watch out Leo Burnett. Big things are happening over at Esurance. The direct-to-consumer insurance company, which stole many Super Bowl advertisers' thunder by giving away $1.5 million after the game, has announced that Alan Gellman has joined the company as chief marketing officer. Gellman will oversee all of Esurance's marketing and advertising efforts, including direct marketing, online and offline advertising, search, brand partnerships, communications and customer experience. Of Gellman, Esurance President and CEO Gary Tolman said: "After a very comprehensive search, I am pleased to welcome Alan to the Esurance team. His experience in regulated industries and strong focus on digital, analytics, and putting customers first will help us grow the Esurance business as we continue to drive innovation and the evolution of self-directed insurance." Like we said, watch out Leo Burnett.

Las Vegas based SK+G Advertising has named Marc Lineveldt executive creative director. He joins the agency with 24 years of experience working on brands like Coca-Cola Company, Sony, Volkswagen, BMW and Levi’s. Lineveldt is the former Executive Creative Director for Fitzgerald+CO of Atlanta, a division of Interpublic. He began his career at TBWA/South Africa where he spent ten years, the first three in Johannesburg as an Art Director and the next seven years at TBWA Hunt Lascaris Cape Town as co-executive creative director. Lineveldt has also worked at Ogilvy, Y&R and Saatchi & Saatchi. He racked up several industry awards including Cannes Lions, Clio, The One Show, The Art Directors Club of NY, The Loeries, Epica and Dubai Lynx Awards. 

Following Kristen Cavallo's appointment as president for Mullen, there appears to be a bit of housecleaning going on. There have been hints of layoffs and re-appointments coming out of the Boston office this week. There aren't many details, but there are plenty of rumors swirling about how the shop has lost its luster. Which, if true, is sad -- as the shop was once mighty.

Remember the Barbarian Group Superdesk? It really is quite awesome. But Gerry Graf wants us all to know that the offices of Barton F. Graf 9000 are just as cool. In a video, along with "spatial philosopher" Rose Sacktor, Graf touts the office's "one continuous floor and "discontinuous desks" and special poles that prevent the floor above from crashing down on employees' heads while at work creating Pizza Hut masterpieces. We think Barton F. Graf should have a party to introduce its One Continuous Floor just like Barbarian Group did to introduce its Superdesk. Gerry?

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