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Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG may have been the biggest agency news of the year, but it wasn’t the only move in the sector this month. We’ve gathered up some of the bigger moves made in the last couple of weeks.
AKQA
Tara McKenty has joined AKQA Australia as executive creative director, further strengthening the agency’s leadership team as it continues its integration with whiteGrey. Tara brings over 16 years of creative industry experience across the APAC region, including a decade leading Google’s creative team across APAC.
Alma
Alma has appointed Jorge Murillo as co-chief creative officer, to help to steer the creative direction of two for the agency’s largest clients—McDonald’s and Molson Coors. Murillo will report to Alma’s long-serving co-president and CCO, Alvar Suñol.
Brave Bison
Media, marketing, and technology company Brave Bison has agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of global sports marketing business Engage Digital Partners in a deal totaling £11 million ($13.7 million).
Brownstein Group
Brownstein Group, Philadelphia’s largest and longest-running independent advertising and PR agency, has appointed Lisa Rios as director of brand strategy.
Cheil Worldwide
Malcolm Poynton, global chief creative officer at Cheil Worldwide, is leaving the agency after 10 years. Poynton was appointed as the network’s first global CCO in December 2014. Prior to joining Cheil Worldwide, he held positions at SapientNitro Europe, Ogilvy U.K., and Saatchi&Saatchi in Sydney.
Culture+ Group
Culture+ Group, an independent, minority-owned holding company, has added global branding agency The Ideatelier to its portfolio and launched CIEN+ Health. The group also named Roberto Ramos as group president and chief brand transformation officer, a new position.
Dentsu
Dentsu has bostered its influencer marketing capabilities with Dentsu Influence, a new practice that uses data and creativity to deliver outcomes for clients.
Finn Partners
Finn Partners won two new clients: Fin tech company Fiserv has chosen it as global agency of record after a competitive pitch, and Mandarin Oriental has selected the agency to lead communications and brand reputation for its North American luxury hospitality brands.
Fuse
Omnicom Media Group (OMG) agency Fuse has opened a new office in Mumbai, India, led by Jigar Rambhia.
Grey
Grey has hired Emma Tonetti from Joan as global head of creative management and promoted Grey LATAM’s Florencia Kessler to global creative reputation partner, a new role at the agency.
Hawke Media
Performance marketing agency Hawke Media acquired We Are Unicorns, a boutique Seattle-based agency specializing in brand strategy and narrative marketing.
Industry
The Port of Portland, which oversees Portland International Airport (PDX) along with marine terminals and business parks, has found its first agency in Portland-based Industry, which it brought on to spearhead its new brand strategy.
Iris Worldwide
Beiersdorf has appointed Iris Worldwid, in collaboration with Cheil Brazil, Cheil Chile, and Cheil UAE as its lead search agency for emerging markets. The appointment follows a five-way competitive pitch.
Klick Health
Klick Health has welcomed 22 new leaders to its growing teams in APAC, EMEA, U.S. and Canada, including four creative directors, three media team members, six strategists, and three evps of growth, along with new managing director of APAC, Graeme Read.
The Martin Agency
Alberto Orte has been named executive creative director at The Martin Agency, leading creative duties on UPS, Unilever, and JPMorgan Wealth Management.
M&C Saatchi
M&C Saatchi UK has appointed Emma Storer as group chief marketing officer. In addition, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment North America has appointed Sarah Beth Parlier as events and experiential production lead.
Momentum Worldwide
Experiential agency Momentum Worldwide has brought back Tom Buontempo as evp, group director, business leadership to lead the Verizon business. Buontempo returns to the agency after time with the Stagwell network leading growth and content for its experiential firm.
Noble People
Independent media agency Noble People has tapped John Gladysz as its first head of product. In the new role, Gladysz will develop solutions for clients that combine the agency’s expertise in business strategy, media planning, media buying and data analytics.
Ogilvy UK
Breast Cancer Now has named Ogilvy UK as its agency partner following a three-month competitive pitch, which was managed internally.
Pan
Integrated PR firm Pan has been named the agency of record for VTEX, a commerce platform for brands and retailers.
Schafer Condon Carter
Mexican food products brand Ortega has hired Schafer Condon Carter (SCC) as its new agency of record, with a mandate to elevate Ortega’s visibility.
Special US
Special US is now working with Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness will debut a new campaign from Special US with a new ad airing on Christmas Day, offering a first look at its new brand platform, “We’re All Strong on This Planet.” It highlights Planet Fitness as a place where everyone can get stronger—from beginners to fitness enthusiasts.
TMW
TMW, part of Accenture Song, is customer engagement agency of record for McDonald’s U.K. and Ireland. The region is the first to appoint a new agency amid McDonald’s global review of CRM partners, which kicked off earlier this year.
The Variable
Whole Earth Brands has named The Variable its agency of record for the Wholesome and Whole Earth brands in the U.S.
WPP
WPP and Universal Music Group have partnered to make access to UMG’s artists and labels, as well as its global data and insights team, more available to its client network, giving brands new opportunities to connect with audiences through music.
