DigitasLBi Design Group
Julian Baker has been appointed as senior designer at DigitasLBi Design Group. This global marketing and technology agency moves businesses into the digital age. By embracing change, they can merge creativity and tech together to build brands, use creative storytelling and use big data to great effect. Baker will work as a designer and illustrator across all agency clients. He reports to vice president-global executive design director Matthew Jacobson.
"Julian Baker has been appointed as senior designer at DigitasLBi Design Group."
Previously, Baker worked as a freelance designer for the agency, working with clients such as Miller Lite, prior to this he designed for Energy BBDO. Other projects include album art work for the likes of Jack White, Insane Clown Posse and Willie Nelson, and his work with the Great Gatsby soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy award. This varied career will serve him well working across a range of clients.
Jacobson said: “Julian’s design and illustration prowess is undeniable. He’s a versatile and accomplished talent who will bring our creative output to new levels. We’re thrilled to have him join our team.”
DDB Paris
DDB Paris are on a roll after a string of new business wins, and co-presidents Jean-Luc Bravi and Matthieu de Lesseux, have appointed Alexander Kalchev as the new Executive Creative Director. Alumni of the Miami Ad School, Kalchev joined DDB Paris after graduating and worked on various campaigns across the company for the likes of Wrigley’s, the first interactive anti-smoking Anime and Tropicana’s Billboard Powered by Oranges. He’s won awards at Cannes Lions, D&AD and other major advertising festivals.
"DDB Paris have appointed Alexander Kalchev as the new Executive Creative Director"
Speaking of his appointment, Alexander said: “I believe DDB Paris has always been one of the most unique agencies in the world, home to a special kind of creativity and willingness to experiment. I will continue this tradition of curiosity and fearlessness.”
Guardian Labs & Guardian Media
Adam Foley will work across Guardian Labs and Guardian Media to deliver an integrated content strategy, reporting to Nick Hewat, commercial director of Guardian New and Media, and Anna Watkins at Guardian Labs. Thinking innovatively, he’ll lead strategic thinking and drive for effective solutions for clients as well as attracting new business. These duties dovetail with his role at Starcom Media Vest Group, where he’s had over 10 years experience. With that company he served as both head of strategy and been managing partner. Starcom bills itself as a Human Experience Company, who enhance lives and build brands.
"Guardian News & Media (GNM) has appointed Adam Foley to the newly created role of commercial strategy director."
Hewat said: "Adam has an impressive track record in the industry and has been a leading figure at one of world’s biggest media agencies for more than a decade. We are thrilled that he is bringing all of that experience and thinking to GNM to help continue driving our commercial strategy forward."
FCB
Susan Credle will replace Jonathan Harries at FCB in January 2016 after an extensive search for Harries replacement by the agency’s worldwide chief executive, Carter Murray. Credle began her career at BBDO New York in 1985, relocating to Chicago to take on Leo Burnett, and back to the Big Apple for the FCB role. As a champion of women in the workplace, she’s giving one of the first Glass Lions, an award for challenging gender bias, at Cannes.
"[FCB] is a name that has a rich history of creating compelling work that has moved the industry forward."
She said: "I believe what we do in the advertising industry makes a difference and I have learned that for us to make a difference, three elements must be present. People, place and purpose. These are the three reasons I am now joining FCB as part of the global leadership team. I respect legacy brands and that includes agencies. In March of 2014, FCB reclaimed its name. It’s a name that has a rich history of creating compelling work that has moved the industry forward".
Murray said in a statement: "The moment we met Susan, we both felt that she would be the perfect creative leader, given our ambition of being a true creative/business partner to our clients to help change consumers’ behaviour."
VCCP
Stephanie Brimacombe has been promoted to Group CMO by VCCP. In this new role, she will continue to head up new business and marketing across London, Berlin, Prague, Sydney and Madrid. Joining the company in 2010 as Marketing and New Business Director, Stephanie was promoted to Group Marketing Director in 2012, joining VCCP’s managing team. Between 2012 and 2014, VCCP had the best new business record and had the most wins of any agency in 2014.
"VCCP promotes Stephanie Brimacombe to group CMO"
“This [promotion] reflects the truly outstanding contribution that Steph has made to our business since she arrived. This wider role will allow us to make further use of her talents” commented Adrian Coleman, Founder and Group CEO of VCCP.
th1ng
th1ng are going rouge with Stockholm directorial collective Happycamper. The respected motion designer and directors are award0winners, known for their integrated live action/animation. Recently acquired by Magoo, the team consists of President and Executive Producer, Anders Tornquist, Head Director, Andrés Rosas Hott, and Henrik Jernberg, executive producer of Magoo, who will liaise between the two groups.
"th1ng Signs Stockholm Experimental Collective Happycamper."
Happycamper put their heads together to come up with creative characters and concepts for brands that can resonate globally. Their spots for China Mobile earned them nominations at Cannes and Film Craft, and they’ve also put work together for Ikea.
th1ng Executive Producer and Founder Dominic Buttimore said, “Bill Hewes and I are delighted to welcome Happycamper to the th1ng group in the USA. Their creative approach to a wide range of briefs is inspiring and adds another dimension to our highly talented roster in the US marketplace."
SCC
Greg Wenstrup succeeds co-founder Mark Schafer at SCC. In 1995, Wenstrup joined SCC as an assistant account executive from Ketchum, and served as the agency’s Chief Administrative Officer since May, 2011. He’ll now oversee the agency’s finance, human resources, IT and admin departments. Wenstrup has been with the SCC team for over ten years.
Schafer Condon Carter Chicago names Greg Wenstrup new COO.
Schafer noted, "He's lived through the agency's evolution as we've grown nearly tenfold, and has been instrumental in building out our infrastructure, pioneering systems, disciplines and protocols across departments. We’re very fortunate to have someone who can take this role from the inside with the deep understanding he has of our integrated operation."
"Greg operates on a high idle with plenty of intellectual firepower," said SCC CEO and Co-Founder Tim Condon. "He took a keen interest in the agency's financial management and organizational structure, and his involvement has been critical as we have scaled up our operation. He's been the one to help identify problems and create solutions, from building out our HR group from scratch, to developing our financial forecasting system and managing our banking relationships."
Red Tettemer O’Connell + Partners
Hilary Craven is named CMO of Red Tettemer O’Connell, after being previously Head of Experiential and Head of Earned Media at 72andSunnyLA. In the newly created position of Chief Marketing Officer, Craven will focus on broadening the agency’s offerings, driving the agency into new sectors and utilising her strong entertainment industry contacts into the agency model. She will also focus on events, branded entertainment, partnerships, products and IP. She reports to Steve Red, President and Chief Creative Officer of RTO+P. This is a big talent investment for the agency as it grows, working with the likes of Planet Fitness, Dockers and Under Armour.
"RTO+P has grown into a creative powerhouse, with offices in Philadelphia and LA."
“I am delighted to take on this new role with partners who have a shared ambition of immersing our clients into culture in authentic and relevant ways,” says Craven. “Our collective goal is to continue to liberate from the traditional agency structure and foster co-creation with our partners.”
“Hilary’s background in experiential marketing, entertainment and partnerships will be invaluable as we continue to expand our client offerings and make RTO+P an agency of influence,” said Red. “She has a run-and-gun creative energy that fits us perfectly and her connections across the worlds of media, music and entertainment will result in extraordinary things for both the agency and our clients.”
OMD
Jon Betts joins OMD to lead McDonald’s account as group business director. With more than 12 years experience working across digital and full service media agencies and he’s got extensive knowledge in multiple categories like telecommunications, technology, automotive, government, travel and retail. As a well-rounded individual, he’ll focus on developing and growing talent with a forward-looking output. The hire follows the appointment of Gideon Hornung back in April as head of strategy on the same account, after he switched from GroupM to the Omnicom-owned firm.
"OMD welcomes Jon Betts to the team as a new group business director."
Mark Jarrett, managing director OMD Sydney said: “Jon’s breadth of specialist digital experience and broader client oversight make him perfectly qualified for the challenges of this role.”
Betts commented on his appointment: “I have been impressed by the team and business Horgs has been building at OMD. When he and Mark Jarrett offered me the opportunity to join the OMD Macca's team I was excited by the prospect of working on such a highly regarded account.” Betts continued, “Everyone I've talked to in the industry tell me the OMD team on Macca's are fantastic, and I'm looking forward to doing some great work with them.”
BETC Paris
Joining BETC as head of digital and integrated production represents a move into innovative campaigns for Bao Tu-Ngoc, who'll be working closely with the creative teams. After graduating from EPITECH Paris, Bao worked as a Systems Programmer, then Lead Programmer R&D at Ovanet. Here he developed ‘real time’ tools to serve telecom operators. 2006 saw him joining Wengo as Systems and Network Director. Leaving start-ups in 2012, Bao moved to join Fred & Fred Paris, where he managed the Digital Production Department, working on digital projects for all the agencies brands, including Martini, Audi and Carambar.
