• by Larissa Faw , July 13, 2016

Industry veteran Ken Spera is joining Santy as its new chief creative officer. His arrival coincides with the agency's transformation over the past few years from a regional player to become a full-service multi-faceted shop.

Spera will oversee an agency with 50 full-service marketing and PR professionals, representing growth of more than 125% since 2012, and work with the agency's roster of clients that include locally-known brands like China Mist Tea, Paradise Bakery and Peter Piper Pizza – as well as other nationally known brands such as Harvest Snaps, Chevy’s, Delta, PeiWei, Pocky and Bona Floor Care Solutions. 

The recent acquisition of LA-based S+L PR has given the agency the dual footprint of Los Angeles and Scottsdale, AZ, as well as immediate entry into the fashion and action sports industry. 

Spera is taking over for Bret Koehler, who will oversee a new LA-based service division at Santy to be announced later this summer. 

Known as the creator of the iconic Geico Gecko and a member of the advertising industry hall of fame, Spera was attracted to Santy’s roster of national clients, and, coming from Detroit, Arizona’s warm and sunny weather, he says.

During his 15 years at Doner Advertising, Spera started the agency’s first interactive/digital department, and became senior vice president in 2007. Spera also spent time at The Martin Agency and has worked with brands including Mercedes Benz, Saab, The UPS Store, Bush Beans, Bank One, Minute Maid, Sprint, Progressive Insurance, Mazda, Serta, America’s Best Eyeglasses, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

“There are a lot of incredibly creative minds out there, but Ken Spera is the whole package, and that’s a rarity,” said Dan Santy, president of Santy. “He’s creativity on steroids, has a trophy case that may not fit in his new office, and he’s humble. That’s the stuff that inspires employees and takes brands to new levels.”