by Larissa Faw on Aug 28, 3:34 PM
The Martin Agency is appointing Helena Berhane as senior strategist to help develop cross-cultural strategies for clients including Old Navy. Her multicultural background--she is a first-generation Ethiopian-Eritrean born in Sweden raised Chicago--serves as an additional asset to provide the agency with unique solutions that benefit its client roster. Berhane previously spent time at an Omnicon multicultural agency and has worked with brands such as Nissan, Denny’s and State Farm.
by Larissa Faw on Aug 24, 7:32 AM
Merge has promoted Jean May to president, Merge West to manage the agency’s western operations including agency Sandbox which was absorbed in
March of this year. Previously May was Chief Performance Officer. May replaces Joe Kuchta who is retiring after 35 years.
by Steve McClellan on Aug 19, 10:15 AM
Knoxville-based Tombras has appointed Denice Heyward senior vice president director of business affairs. Previously she was the interim director business legal affairs for R/GA on brands including Nike, Samsung and Verizon Wireless. Earlier she was partnerships & legal director at 72andSunny where she worked with General Mills, Facebook, Smirnoff, Comcast, and Seventh Generation.
by Larissa Faw on Aug 17, 1:50 PM
Vice’s Virtue is installing Krystle Watler as managing director, Americas and Genie Gurnani as executive creative director, Americas as the creative agency integrates its offices in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Mexico City, São Paulo, and Toronto under their leadership. This regional integration will see Virtue’s US, Canada, Brazil and Mexico teams working collaboratively and across borders, while exploring new business opportunities in local markets. Gurnani joined Virtue in 2019 as both Virtue and Vice's head of creative in the APAC region. Watler joined Virtue in 2017 and was as the agency’s first business development hire. She was elevated to managing director, …
by Steve McClellan on Aug 14, 3:40 PM
DoubleVerify has appointed Jack Smith Chief Product Officer, Demand Solutions. In this newly created role, Smith is tasked with advancing DV’s agency and brand advertiser solutions portfolio, with a focus on high-growth emerging channels, such as CTV. Smith will also lead strategy and implementation efforts related to scaling the company’s product development and commercialization activities. Based in DV’s New York office, he will report to COO Matt McLaughlin. Previously Smith was Global Chief Product Officer, Investment, at GroupM where he spearheaded product and technology design, media investment, data management, finance and other functions. Smith also led the …
by Steve McClellan on Aug 12, 4:56 PM
Brownstein Group has appointed David Shaw director of client services. Throughout his 25-plus year career, Shaw has worked with major brands including Lowe’s, Sony PlayStation, DirecTV, Keurig, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. He has served at agencies including BBDO, Chiat/Day, and Havas.
by Larissa Faw on Aug 11, 2:14 PM
After a nine-month search, Eleven is naming Andre Gray as executive creative director to lead creative development with Chief Creative Officer Mike McKay for Eleven’s portfolio of clients, including Samsung, Pella, JSX, Electrify America, and Dignity Health. He will be based in the agency’s San Francisco office. He most recently worked at TBWA/NEBOKO’s Amsterdam location, serving as the Global Creative Director for Adidas and Gatorade.
by Steve McClellan on Aug 10, 2:32 PM
MRM, the direct and digital unit of Interpublic’s McCann has appointed Jayna Kothary Global Chief Technology Officer. Most recently Kothary served as CTO for Global Clients at WPP, where she was based in the UK. At WPP she partnered with the firm’s largest clients to help them leverage data, technology and partnerships for business transformation. Prior to WPP, she held technology leadership roles at both Vodafone Group and BP.
by Larissa Faw on Aug 7, 12:14 PM
Bounteous is promoting Leah Weyandt as Chief People Officer in a newly created role to support inclusive growth. She will be tasked with providing meaningful remote team-building experiences; philanthropic outreach opportunities; holistic wellness support channels; apprenticeship programs, hackathons and job fairs; and facilitated discussions to amplify diverse voices. To support the agency’s commitment to further fortify an inclusive and growth-centered culture, Weyandt is also seeking a dedicated learning and diversity lead to join her team.
by Larissa Faw on Aug 6, 2:17 PM
Splash Worldwide is naming Rob Smith, veteran of Ogilvy Worldwide and Goodby Silverstein & Partners, as the agency’s first U.S. CEO. This new addition frees up Paul Stonebridge, founder and global CEO, who previously held these responsibilities.