• by Fern Siegel , July 12, 2023

Wolff Olins' hiring spree has resulted in the addition of 11 new creatives, four strategists and three additions to the engagement team.

The global brand consultancy has offices in London, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Kwesi Blair has been tapped as senior strategy director in New York. Previously Instagram's global brand strategy lead, Blair will handle strategy for both U.S. and global clients. Prior to Instagram, Blair worked at SYPartners. His brand experience includes American Express, LVMH, Target, CVS, Warner Media and IBM.

Blair said he admires Wolff Olins “as one of the only consultancies thinking deeply about the holistic impact of brand from the inside out.” 

Among the 11 new creative hires, including senior designers, is James McNaught, now associate creative director in London. He previously spent time at Zag, DixonBaxi and Koto.

Jess Yan in New York and Matthew Haysom in London have been upped to creative directors.

In addition to Blair, the strategy team has hired three more strategists, as well as promoting six on its team, including Michele Kim to senior strategy director in New York and Kate Pfeil to strategy director in London.

On the engagement front, Raphael Picciarelli was promoted to associate engagement director in the U.S.

Sairah Ashman, Global CEO at Wolff Olins, said: “Nothing energizes more than an injection of fresh promotions, talent and new faces. We’re riding high after an exciting start to the year with both existing and new clients. The energy in the business is electric.”