Barbarian, part of the Cheil Agency Network, has appointed Kai Tier executive director of creative technology and AI, a new role at the agency.  

Tier previously served as vice president and US executive director of creative technology at R/GA, where he led multidisciplinary technology teams working with Samsung, Nike, Mercedes, Verizon, American Express and Johnson & Johnson. Prior to joining R/GA nearly 12 years ago, he was head of technology at Spinifex Group, part of Project Worldwide.  

At Barbarian Tier’s mandate is to connect existing capabilities across AI, enterprise platform solutions and creative technology to build a new integrated offering. Initially he will be working with existing teams but as the offering scales new roles dedicated to its further development will be created, according to the agency.  

“Technology today sits on the front line of brand transformation, which has become imperative for companies looking to grow and evolve the role of brand in their customer experiences,” said Jeff Blackman, managing director of Barbarian.   

“This moment requires a technology leader who can stretch across key disciplines while understanding how complex systems can deliver business results,” Blackman added, noting that Tier brings that balance to Barbarian.