The Mill
Alex Fitzgerald and Evelyn O’Reilly have joined The Mill’s London production department. Fitzgerald returns to The Mill as an Executive Producer. He most recently worked as a Senior Producer at Framestore, where he produced notable projects such as Shell “Shapeshifter.” Previously, he worked in both The Mill's London and New York studios. O'Reilly, meanwhile, joins The Mill from Smoke & Mirrors as a VFX producer, having previously worked at the AMV LAB. She has significant experience working with brands including Burberry, Jaguar and Guinness.
Alex Fitzgerald and Evelyn O’Reilly have joined The Mill’s London production department
Head of Production at The Mill, Ben Stallard said: “Alex’s addition further strengthens our un-rivalled production team. He has a passion, which we share, for collaborating with the best in the industry and producing ground-breaking work. Furthermore, Evelyn brings a valued experience and knowledge to our world-class team of producers, which really is second to none. I’m immensely proud of the quality, passion and drive of the production team we have assembled here in London.”
MediaCom USA
MediaCom USA has announced former ZenithOptimedia UK managing director Tom Cijffers, as its new chief client officer. Cijffers and his family have relocated to New York, and his appointment is effective immediately. He fills a role vacated by Adam Komack, who became MediaCom's global account director on Dell earlier this year. He spent the past 16 years in roles of increasing responsibility at ZenithOptimedia. Most recently, he was promoted from MD of client service for ZO Worldwide to MD of Zenith UK, at which time he became a member of the combined UK and worldwide management board.
MediaCom USA has announced former ZenithOptimedia UK managing director Tom Cijffers, as its new chief client officer
Of his new appointment, Cijffers said: “MediaCom USA has been able to deliver exceptional bottom-line results by creating both the content and connections needed to optimise a client's entire communications system, and I look forward to bringing this more holistic view to our entire roster.” MediaCom USA CEO Sasha Savic, adds: “If I revealed how many candidates I saw for this role, no one would believe me. We have an appetite to be the best, for the best marketers in the world; it's just that simple. Tom was the person whom we believed could both inspire and help our clients execute on the great digital, media, analytics, content and creative strategies that we know will transform their businesses.”
Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick announced this week that media executive Vivian Schiller has taken an advisory role at the company as executive editor-in-residence. Schiller will work with Weber Shandwick and its clients to broaden thinking on media change and inspire brands to innovate the way they engage audiences in the digital era. In her position, Schiller, who was most recently chair of global news at Twitter, will work with Weber Shandwick's leadership to continue to build creative, production and technical capabilities as part of the firm's Mediaco content consulting and publishing practice, which helps brands institutionalise content publishing as a core engine of their PR and marketing mix. In addition, she will continue to build an ecosystem of third-party relationships to drive leading edge innovation into client programs worldwide.
Weber Shandwick announced this week that media executive Vivian Schiller has taken an advisory role at the company as executive editor-in-residence
Chris Perry, chief digital officer at Weber Shandwick said: “Vivian has been a pioneer in digital media and publishing, building and leading high-performing teams to successfully launch consumer media products of the highest quality. Her unmatched talent for ushering in media innovation into to legacy organisations will be incredibly valuable for our teams and clients.” Schiller adds: “The media business is experiencing tremendous change, and with it, new methods for brands to reach people in innovative ways are emerging. There are so many avenues to making meaningful connections though storytelling and a new approach to audience engagement. I look forward to helping Weber Shandwick and its clients build dynamic content organisations, as well as creative programs that come from them.”
MEC
MEC has announced the appointment of Sarah Homer as director of people and culture for the EMEA region. Based in London, Sarah will report to Marie-Claire Barker, global chief talent officer, and Alastair Aird, Global COO and CEO of the EMEA region at MEC. She will oversee MEC’s People and Culture strategy, in line with Barker’s ambition to change the face of talent management in the industry. She begins her new role on November 1st, and replaces Mike Harris, who retired over the summer, and joins MEC from the Dentsu Aegis Network, where she was the HR director for Northern Europe. Prior to this, Sarah spent twelve years at Barclays Plc. in various senior roles including leading change and cultural transformation programmes.
MEC has announced the appointment of Sarah Homer as director of people and culture for the EMEA region
Alastair Aird, global COO and CEO for EMEA, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sarah to MEC. She’s a seasoned Talent professional with great experience across Europe, working at the senior management level. Her insights and partnership skills will be invaluable as we continue to grow this our largest region, developing our employer brand across very diverse markets.” Homer added: “MEC's ambitious and innovative Talent manifest is truly alive within the organisation and I believe a real game changer for our industry. It has captured my imagination and I could not resist the opportunity to be part of its development and work in partnership with our people to create a different and unique proposition for talent. I'm delighted and honoured to be part of the MEC management team and look forward to working with them.”
Deutsch New York
Deutsch NY CEO Val DiFebo announced this week the promotion of three new vice presidents, four new senior vice presidents, four executive vice presidents, as well as a new senior hire. James Cowie & Rich Kolopeaua were promoted from Associated Creative Director to VP Creative Director. Shreya Mukherjee was promoted from Planning Director, to VP, Planning Director. Kristen Rincavage was promoted from VP, Account Director to SVP, Account Director. Lisa Conneely was promoted to from VP, Director of Data Analytics to SVP, Director of Data Analytics. Scott Lindenbaum was promoted from VP, Digital Planning Director to SVP, Digital Planning Director.
Deutsch NY CEO Val DiFebo announced a raft of senior promotions and one new senior hire this week
Sarah Rankin was promoted from VP, Digital Group Media Director, to SVP, Digital Group Media Director. Tyler Helms was promoted from SVP, Group Account Director to EVP, Group Account Director. Katherine Moncrief was promoted from SVP, Director of Talent to EVP, Director of Talent. Robert Schwartz was promoted from SVP, Group Planning Director to EVP, Group Planning Director. Rich VanSteenburgh was promoted from SVP, Director of Data Analytics to EVP, Director of Data Analytics. Finally, Denise Guillet has joined Deutsch’s NY office as Senior Vice President, Group Account Director on the Galderma Business.
Mother New York
Award-winning, independent creative agency Mother announced this week that international brand and youth culture executive, Peter Ravailhe, will be joining the New York office as CEO and partner effective November 2nd. Ravailhe was most recently managing director and global brand leader at TBWA\Chiat\Day LA, one of the United State’s storied creative agencies, where he won and led major global accounts such as Gatorade, AirBnB, Netflix, and Disney. Alongside Wall and the Mother New York partners, Ravailhe will be dedicated to leading Mother’s impressive client roster with culture-backed campaigns and communications.
Mother announced this week that Peter Ravailhe will be joining the New York office as CEO and partner
Mother global CEO Michael Wall said: “It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that we announce Peter Ravailhe will be joining the Mother team. Peter has a wonderful blend of U.S. and international experience. He is a team player and knows how to lead and win business. This is an important role for him, and for Mother and our ambitions in the US.” Ravailhe added: “I’m absolutely thrilled and humbled to be joining Mother at such an exciting time for the brand. I believe Mother fosters a creative culture like no other company. This has yielded some of the most talented people and inspiring work of the past decade. I look forward to teaming up with everyone to deliver the most inspiring and engaging work of our lives for our wonderful and unique family of clients.”
CP+B LA
CP+B LA announced this week that Ivan Perez-Armendariz and Ryan Skubic have been named co-managing directors. Perez-Armendariz had been chief digital officer and under his leadership, the agency has produced numerous groundbreaking work. Prior to his promotion, Skubic led account management for CP+B LA, working with some of the agency’s largest clients. Together, they will focus on CP+B’s clients, employees, new business, culture, and overall management, creating the most inventive work for clients that drive business results. They replace Mason Reed who is leaving the agency to join a new start-up.
CP+B LA announced this week that Ivan Perez-Armendariz and Ryan Skubic have been named co-managing directors
Lori Senecal, Global CEO of CP+B, said: “Mason has done a remarkable job establishing and rapidly growing our LA office. We know he will now do the same in his new entrepreneurial venture and we look forward to watching him bring his exciting idea to life. To further the momentum in LA, our new Managing Director team puts account leadership and technology at the centre of the agency. It’s a great way to capitalise on the abundance of tech opportunities on the West coast and to continue to put focus on inspiring the smartest ideas that technology enables and that define CP+B.”
FCB Worldwide
FCB Worldwide CEO Carter Murray announced this week that Erika Darmstaedter has been promoted to chief client officer. In the newly created role, Darmstaedter, who will continue to lead the global Beiersdorf account, will work with account management across the network to guide client strategy and ensure best practices are in place for the strongest possible client/agency relationships. Darmstaedter joined FCB in 2011 as global account director for Beiersdorf. Under her leadership Beiersdorf won seven Cannes Lions in 2014, including the Mobile Grand Prix, and a further eight Lions in 2015. Darmstaedter was also president of FCB Hamburg from 2013 until earlier this year when she stepped down to prepare for her new role.
Erika Darmstaedter has been promoted to chief client officer at FCB Worldwide
Murray said: “Erika is an amazing brand steward who is highly regarded by clients and colleagues. We have top-notch talent in our network and I can’t think of a better person than Erika to help guide them to become the best in the industry.” Darmstaedter added: “ Our ability to listen, shepherd the right resources around a client challenge, and provide active leadership in a multi-channel environment that will remain ever-changing is essential to our success and I’m excited to help strengthen our already-thriving account teams and bring even more value to our clients.”
Ogilvy & Mather Singapore
Ogilvy & Mather has promoted Chris Riley to the position of chairman of O&M Group Singapore. Riley, who was appointed chief operating officer for the group in January this year, will transition over the next few months with Fiona Gordon, who has successfully led the operation since 2011, and is moving to Ogilvy & Mather London. An announcement on Gordon’s new position within O&M UK will be shared in due course. Riley is no stranger to either Singapore or the regional network in Asia Pacific as he celebrates his 20th anniversary at Ogilvy & Mather. He joined back in 1995 with OgilvyOne Worldwide Hong Kong, eventually relocating in 2004 to lead the OgilvyOne operation in Singapore as managing director.
Ogilvy & Mather has named Chris Riley as the new chairman of O&M Group Singapore
Riley will be reporting to Kent Wertime, O&M’s chief operating officer in Asia Pacific, he said: “We can’t be more thrilled to have Chris leading our operation in Singapore, and more proud to make such a significant appointment via our internal ranks. He has already contributed consistently to our Singapore business year-after-year, so I have no hesitation that he’s the person to help us maintain our leading position particularly in the areas of digital, data, social, and other growing parts of our business.” Riley added: “Our Singapore operation has gone from strength to strength with Fiona’s leadership. It is a privilege to take the helm of such a successful agency business with such a strong management team in place. We’ve mapped our ambition for the next five years, and I’m excited with the opportunity to evolve our talent and services to raise the bar even further for our clients.”
The Leith Agency
The Leith Agency has promoted Troy Farnworth and Phil Evans as its creative directors to lead the agency’s creative offering. The pair will be the first creative chiefs at the agency since the departure of long-standing creative director Gerry Farrell last 2014, with the department having since been run by a number of creative heads in the interim, including both Evans and Farnworth. They will oversee the agency’s extensive client roster, which includes Dobbies, The Scottish Government, First Great Western, Irn-Bru and Drinkaware.
The Leith Agency has promoted Troy Farnworth and Phil Evans as its creative directors
Richard Marsham, managing partner of The Leith Agency, said: “We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Phil and Troy to the position of Creative Directors at The Leith Agency. They bring with them a potent mix of home-grown talent, commitment, passion and bags of potential. This is an important time for Leith as we look to further expand our creative ambition and Phil and Troy will play a major part in helping to deliver on that ambition.”
