• by Fern Siegel , 3 hours ago

Dan Monarko has been hired as Chief Media & Growth Officer for creative agency Planet Propaganda. The remit is design a media practice to serve an AI-driven marketplace.

Previously, he served as SVP, media and growth, BarkleyOKRP. His brand experience includes Premier Protein, Dole, McCain Foods, Motel 6 and NatureSweet. He also led the media strategy for the National Pork Board’s first major campaign since “The Other White Meat.”

Before that, he was vice president, head of channel strategy at Smith Brothers Agency. He also worked as CEO at Cosmitto and vice president at digital agency Flying Cork.  

“Most agencies claim their creative drives results. Planet has the receipts," said Monarko. “'Freaky Fast'” didn't just sell sandwiches — it became the operational DNA of an entire franchise system. 'A Sub Above' turned Jersey Mike's into America's fastest-growing food chain. Duluth Trading went from a workwear catalog to a $600 million retailer. When creative does that kind of work, media isn't a line item, it's a multiplier.” 

He added AI has “compressed timelines, automated a lot of the mechanical work and exposed how much of the process was built around structure instead of outcomes.” What comes next is a fundamentally different system, informed by live performance.

“AI doesn’t get rid of media expertise,” Monarko added. “The value now is in understanding the system as a whole.”

Planet Propaganda’s client list incudes Duluth Trading Co, Cheba Hut Toasted Subs, Weed Man and Layne’s Chicken Fingers.