Publicis Sports continues to build out its management team under Suzy Deering who was hired as the unit’s first president last fall. 

Most recently Deering brought on board Kristen Gray as executive vice president–brand consulting. Gray spent nearly two decades at Omnicom’s Optimum Sports where she oversaw client teams and helped develop sports marketing programs for clients. 

In her new role, Gray will also help Publicis clients shape their sports marketing programs. 

Gray’s hire follows two earlier senior appointments, including Chelsea Carr, who was named president of Adopt, a new role at the sports and culture agency that Publicis acquired last year.  

Carr is working with agency founders David Creech and Josh Moore to scale the agency globally. She joined Adopt after leading The Robot Company, the brand consultancy of NBA great LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s Fulwell Entertainment (formerly The SpringHill Company). 

Dave Frank has also joined Adopt as chief creative officer. He’s tasked with helping marketers create cultural impact through efforts including athlete/entertainment/creator partnerships, experiential programs and more. 

Previously, he served at Nike for over two decades where he led teams responsible for shaping global brand expressions and consumer experiences.