• by Fern Siegel , March 18, 2025

Cactus has strengthened its senior ranks with two executive hires.

The Denver-based creative agency has added Brian O’Connell as group strategy director and Jill Kelleman as executive growth director.

Previously, O’Connell, a two-decade ad vet, held strategy and brand planning roles various agencies, including Fortnight Collective, SRG, CP+B, Integer/TBWA, Arnold Worldwide, and Hill Holliday. His brand strategy experience includes McDonald’s, MillerCoors, Dunkin’ Donuts and Microsoft.

O’Connell’s most high-profile work is the “Captain Obvious” strategy for Hotels.com at CP+B and “Steamboat Way” campaign at Fortnight Collective.

“The Cactus creative department is a hit parade of sharp ideas. We all know what great creativity is and how to get to it. There's no better feeling than to hit the ground running to make immediate impact for our clients,” he said.

Jill Kelleman is now leading the agency’s growth efforts — and also boasts a 20-year career in brand marketing, account management and business development.

Kelleman worked in Chicago on global brands for Havas and IPG, then moved to Colorado to lead client partnerships at CP+B, Victors & Spoils and Made.

“There’s a great mix of familiar faces and fresh energy, all driven by a clear sense of purpose. The talent and ambition here are undeniable — ideas build quickly and creativity that works is always the priority,” she added.

The agency uses a proprietary planning process known as Belief & Behavior Design, which employs behavior change models, behavioral economics and consumer psychology to solve business problems.

Cactus client partners include Fjallraven, Colorado Lottery, University of Miami, Cochlear Americas and UMB Bank.