• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, April 20, 2016

Dragging its feet for 105 years, Campbell Ewald has never had a female  Chief Creative Officer. That changed this week when the agency appointed Jo Shoesmith to the role of CCO.

Shoesmith came to Campbell Ewald last year as ECD and will succeed current creative director Mark Simon who is retiring after 16 years with the agency. 

Of the appointment, Interpublic CEO Michael Roth said, “We’re thrilled Jo is taking the lead creative role at Campbell Ewald. We know that she will continue developing the award-winning and innovative work she’s known for -- ideas that move the needle on her clients’ business goals.”

According to the agency's own 2015 report to the EEOC, 30% of agency creative management positions are held by women.

If you recall, Campbell Ewald caught heat over an email sent by a creative director that urged agency employees to celebrate "Ghetto Day" by listening to ghetto music, drinking Malt 45s and using ghetto terminology. The email resulted in the firing of Campbell Ewald CEO Jim Palmer and the loss of the agency's financial and insurance client, USAA.