McKeon Takes Over as MEplusYOU Head Creative

Sources familiar with the matter confirm that Renee McKeon, who has been with the agency formerly known as imc2 and now as MEplusYOU for 13 years, is taking over as head creative of said agency. From what we hear, McKeon is transitioning into the role previously held by Michael Davis, who has spent over four years at the Dallas-based MEplusYou, last serving as chief creative officer.

No word on Davis’s whereabouts, but during his career, the outgoing CCO also spent nearly a decade at Draftfcb and also worked on the client side at HBO. McKeon, meanwhile, moved up from from UX/CD to her most recent role at ECD. Update: From what we’ve been told, Davis is still at MPY, though we’ll update on his latest post.

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David Kim Heads Back to SF

Here’s what we got from a seemingly deleted Facebook status update from David Kim, who joined Deutsch LA as a group creative director merely 10 months ago. From what we’ve been told, this is what Kim posted: “LA’s in my blood but SF’s got my heart. #farewellDLA #lookingforaplacetoliveinSF.” Kim joined Deutsch LA as group digital creative director last year on Volkswagen, essentially taking over for Jerome Austria after spending a few years working at Venables Bell & Partners, helping the Bay Area agency launch Google Fiber and Intel’s “The Chase” in the process.

From what sources tell us, Kim and family just missed the San Francisco area hence the departure, which we hear was amicable. During his career, Kim also served as an interactive CD at Publicis Seattle on T-Mobile and served as a designer at TBWA\ unit \Tequila. No word yet on his next move, but we’ll keep you posted.

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And Now, a Message from Carter Murray to Draftfcb Staff

It took six months, but from what we gather from the memo just sent to us below, Carter Murray has finally assumed the CEO post at Draftfcb Worldwide. Murray was announced as global CEO of the IPG-owned network back in March, taking over for Laurence Boschetto. Previously, Murray served as Y&R North America president/CEO. Anyhow, you can read Murray’s seemingly heartfelt intro to staff at DFCB. Guess you can call it a rallying cry of sorts for an agency that has retained its Kmart business and picked up ad duties for Aramark in the past month. Read on.

“If you are reading this, you are one of the 8,000-plus Draftfcb team that gets up every morning and goes to work to try to make a difference for your clients and this agency.

Today is my first day on the job as the new CEO. To say I am thrilled to finally be here, and cannot wait to get started, would be an understatement.

I thought in this first note I would share some thoughts on what I believe I need to do to help our clients and all of us move forward, including some specifics on what you will see from me over the coming months. I apologize for its length, but after a six-month wait I thought I owed you a detailed first note.

I need to make sure that the most talented people in our industry work at or want to work at Draftfcb, and do all I can to make sure that most of us – most mornings – love coming to work.

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Op-Ed: Your Ads Are Not Art. Just As Your Shoes Are Not Gumbo

Houston-based freelance creative Chuck Hipsher, who you may remember from his ode to Chevy last month, is back with another column. This time, our scribe’s intent is to “challenge ad creatives to make certain that they are channeling their creative energy into the space they truly love. It can’t just be a paycheck.” We’ll let him take the floor from here. Read on and if you’d like, you can check out his blog here

Having come from a painter’s background  – and I don’t mean the painting of walls or ceilings – although I performed those jobs to make ends meet – I always viewed my ad work as very intimate and somewhat self-expressive. Nearly precious. Mostly because it eventually replaced my artwork, so I had to rationalize that decision.

Advertising became my passion. My obsession. My dedication. My joy.

To my old artiste friends, I sold out when I put down my brushes and picked up my magnifying glass. When I decided that advertising was far more interesting and sexy than sitting in a cold, lonely studio, staring at a canvas and wondering if it was worthwhile, reasonable, or even sane to want to try and top de Kooning or Pollock.

Early in my ad career, I developed a tendency to disagree. And while it was annoying to some, it was a healthy habit, carried over from my days of painting. The habit saw me questioning every step of the way in the creation of an advertisement for any of the clients I worked on. It became somewhat routine. It was the same argument I had with myself when contemplating a nearly finished painting and wondering, “Is it right? Is it done? Is it worthwhile? Will people like it – or even get it?”

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Daly, Rorie Out at Anomaly

As mentioned above, we’ve received confirmation that both Ian Daly and Chris Rorie have left Anomaly NY. Daly (pictured) if you recall was promoted to joint head of planning over six months ago alongside Aisea Laungaue (who also departed earlier this year). The exec had been with Anomaly for nearly two years, initially serving as planning director on accounts including Budweiser and Converse while at the agency. During his career, Daly also served as a senior planner at Grey on award-winning campaigns for DirecTV among other pieces of business.

Rorie, meanwhile, had been with Anomaly for nearly two years, serving as head of data & strategic analysis and prior to his work at said agency, held similar roles at the likes of PHD, Digitas and MRM. No word yet if there are immediate plans to replace either party, but from what we hear on the Spy line, both are heading to TBWA\Media Arts Lab.

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King Succeeds Buchner as Fallon CMO

It took a couple of months, but Fallon has found a new chief marketing officer from within, appointing 16-year vet John King to the position. King (pictured) takes over for Rob Buchner, a 25-year Fallon vet who if you recall left the agency in June to assume the role of CEO at fellow Twin Cities op, Campbell Mithun. As for the new CMO, King spent the last five years serving as chief communications officer at Fallon, working with a client roster that includes General Mills and NBCU.

Along with the CMO appointment, Fallon has also brought on Charles Wolford, formerly of Modernista! and 72andSunny, as chief production officer. Additionally, Rocky Novak has shifted from director of digital development to managing director and Julie McBride from director of talent to a larger role as director of talent and communications.

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Korn Moves In, Caputo Moves Out at McGarryBowen

In today’s episode of as the agency world turns, sources familiar with the matter confirm that Steve Caputo, who has been with McGarryBowen for just six months and served as executive creative director, is no longer with the agency. No details on Caputo’s departure have been given at this point, but you might remember the creative exec from his brief stint (18 months) at Arnold or his seven years at R/GA, where he worked with clients ranging from Nike+ to Chanel.

On another unrelated McGarryBowen note, our sources tell us that Daniel Korn, who spent the last three-plus years as partner/biz dev director at Ogilvy, working out of said agency’s New York office, will be assuming a yet-to-be-disclosed position at McGarryBowen. Prior to O&M, Korn (pictured) spent several years on the account side at Havas.

 

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Fougere, DFCB Chicago Part Ways

Sources familiar with the matter confirm that Bruce Fougere, who has spent nearly two years as SVP/director of innovation out of its Chicago office, is leaving the agency. From what sources tell us, Fouguere is parting ways at the end of the month to pursue the usual “other opportunities.”

Fougere joined DraftFCB at the end of 2011 after a nearly five-year stint at The Martin Agency, where he last served as VP/group creative director. During his career, Fougere has worked on the creative side at the likes of McKinney, where he worked on Qwest and Travelocity among other accounts.

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Wilson Splits from Energy BBDO

Just over a year after joining Chicago-based Energy BBDO as SVP/group creative director, Leon Wilson has headed back home Down Under. From what we’ve been told, though, Wilson is staying within the Omnicom-owned network and assuming the chief creative officer role at Proximity Melbourne, aka Clemenger Proximity.

During his yearlong stint at Energy BBDO, Wilson helped serve as a lead creative on the agency’s Wrigley account in his GCD role, working on efforts such as this anthropomorphic spot for Orbit from earlier this year. From what we’ve been told, Wilson’s last day at Energy BBDO was actually Aug. 30 and that the agency does plan to replace him. Prior to Energy, Wilson spent two-and-a-half years as a GCD at Fallon, working on accounts including Travelers and Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. During his career, the Kiwi native also served in senior creative roles at the likes of Publicis Mojo and Colenso BBDO.

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Arscott Leaving Saatchi X

After spending the last four years at Saatchi & Saatchi X and serving as VP/executive creative director out of the agency’s Chicago office since last summer, Joanna Arscott is moving on. From what we’ve been told, the creative exec is leaving for “personal reasons.” Arscott initially joined the shopper marketing-focused Saatchi & Saatchi X as a GCD, leading creative on P&G business for Walmart both in North America and internationally before being named VP/ECD for Chicago. Prior to Saatchi & Saatchi X, the London native spent three years as VP/ECD at Momentum Atlanta. During her career, Arscott worked in her native UK at the likes of Saatchi London, Ogilvy and 141 Worldwide.

From what we’ve been told, she will continue with Saatchi X through September. The agency tells us, “She has been a huge contributor and we wish her well.”

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Here’s Robert LePlae’s Memo to Staff Regarding Favat’s Move

Unfortunately, we were at the airport yesterday morning awaiting the flight back home (sans laptop, still trying to stay off grid) when multiple tips poured in about Pete Favat leaving Arnold. Where to, we didn’t know at the time, but alas, the news broke as we were somewhere above the Midwest that the 14-year Arnold vet did indeed leave the Havas-owned agency to assume the CCO post at Deutsch L.A. Wading through the Favat-related tips this morning, we came across one which is basically Arnold global CEO Robert LePlae‘s memo to staff regarding the move and the appointment of Wade Devers and Pete Johnson as lead creative partners of Boston ops. It’s nothing shocking or anything you haven’t really read in the other trades, but if you want something verbatim from the inside, read on after the jump.

“All,

I am reaching out to let you know that after many years with Arnold, Pete Favat will be leaving the agency.

With a long held ambition to live on the west coast and new opportunities for his family, Pete has accepted a position in Los Angeles.  This is a desire that Pete has harbored for many years, and one he now has an opportunity to fulfill.

There is a plan prepared plan for this evolution.  Earlier this year we elevated Wade Devers to Executive Creative Director in Boston.  Wade is a brilliant craftsman, long-time leader at Arnold, and responsible for much of the best work that comes out of the agency.

Pete Johnson will partner with Wade as Executive Creative Directors.  He joined Arnold last year as one of the leading digital creative and content talents in the country.  It was a coupe for Arnold to get him, he’s delivered on all of our expectations, and we have a high degree of confidence in his talent, and ability to lead.

Wade and Pete Johnson bring a rich combination of conceptual ability, digital creative expertise, craftsmanship and design to the roles.  The increasing demands of creative leaders in recent years require this broad collective skill set, and we’re fortunate to have it readily in place.

I share this news with mixed emotions because of our genuine fondness for Pete Favat, and the many contributions he’s made. At the same time, there’s a talent evolution going on in our business, and we’re feeling quite good about the ability of our creative choices to drive this new direction for Arnold Boston.

Please join me in wishing Pete Favat the best in his new life, congratulating Wade and Pete Johnson in their new roles, and the great energy and success that can come with new leadership.

RLP”

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Collins Latest to Assume GCD Post at Grey NY


So what did I miss? Oh yeah, this. Shit. Oh well, after about a week away from the action, yours truly is back and ready to roll, so what better way to shake the rust off than, you guessed it, reporting about another Grey NY group creative director appointment. The latest to assume to said title is one Michael Collins, the self-proclaimed “creative tsar” who’s been with Grey for over a decade. By our count, Collins is the seventh creative to make GCD at Grey since the agency first adopted the title a month ago. We’re thinking they’ve taken to it. At this point, you know what to expect after the jump, folks, read on.

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Elm Out at DDB Cali After Two Months at the Helm

Well, we didn’t see this coming but sources familiar with the matter confirm that after just a summer at the helm of the creative department at DDB California, Jason Elm and the agency have “mutually agreed” to part ways. Elm joined DDB Cali (consisting of L.A. and San Francisco) as chief creative officer in early June, taking over for Lisa Bennett, who stepped down from her post but was eventually appointed as EVP/creative for DDB North America.

Prior to DDB, as you may know, Elm spent 15 years at Deutsch LA, where he last served EVP/group creative director on Diamond Foods and PlayStation. We’ve been told be sources that DDB is planning to fill the position.

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Publicis Kaplan Thaler, CSO Holden Part Ways

Sources familiar with the matter confirm that Jeremy Holden, who’s served as chief strategy officer for the East region at Publicis Kaplan Thaler for nearly two years, is leaving to start his own consultancy business in North Carolina (which he’s done prior to PKT), where he lives. During his time at PKT, Holden worked out of the Raleigh-Durham office, handling duties including brand/digital/social strategy, engagement planning, CRM and analytics for clients ranging from P&G to Citi to Nestle.

Along with Publicis Kaplan Thaler, Holden, a 20-plus year ad vet who’s also a published author, worked for decade on the account planning side at McKinney. No word on immediate plans to replace.

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MEplusYOU, CMO Wolfman Part Ways

We’ve received confirmation that Ian Wolfman, CMO/co-founder/partner of MEplusYOU, the agency formerly known as imc2, as well as its Health & Wellness unit, is leaving the agency. A spokesperson for MEPlusYou confirms that Wolfman “has left his role after 15 years with the agency. He remains a friend of the agency and a supporter of the work the agency is doing.” We were told the announce was made to staff a couple of days ago. No word yet, though, on immediate plans to replace or where Wolfman is heading to next, but along with his lengthy stint at imc2/MEplusYOU, the exec served as an advisory board member for companies like HootSuite.

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Puskar Leaving BBDO NY

We’ve received word that Jeff Puskar, who’s spent the last two years at BBDO New York and the last nine months as its VP/user experience design, is parting ways with the agency. No word yet on his last day at BBDO NY, but we’re hearing on the Spy line that Puskar is heading west and joining up with Deutsch LA. Prior to BBDO, where he’s worked with clients including AT&T and FedEx, Puskar spent several years as a UX design lead and/or director at Schematic.

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Digitas Loses a Couple of Execs

Yes, we have a couple DigitasLBI execs that have left the branch. According to spokeperson for the agency, Rich Tobin, SVP of operations for North America, and Paul Gorrell, chief talent officer for North America have resigned from the agency in the last week. No word on Tobin’s exact dates, but we’ve been told that Gorrell’s last dayis September 30. Regarding Tobin, Digitas says, he’s leaving to “join Waltham, MA called Lionbridge. Over the last 13 years he’s been an exemplary employee, and we wish him nothing but the best in this next phase of his career.”

Meanwhile, we’ve been told that Gorrell is leaving to focus on his talent management and career development consultancy. No word yet on the title, but we’ve been told by Digitas that “we wish him the very best in the continuation of his impressive career.”

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Flatt Out at C-K Chicago

After spending over three years serving at Cramer-Krasselt’s Chicago branch, Kevin Flatt is no longer with the agency according to sources familiar with the matter. Flatt initially joined C-K as executive creative director, eventually moving up to SVP/director of design & digital last year.

You might remember Flatt from his year-plus stint at Leo Burnett/Arc Worldwide, which he joined in 2009 as EVP/ECD of the unit’s digital practice, working with clients such as Allstate, Kellogg, McDonald’s and Purina. No word yet on where his next destination is, but during his career, Flatt also spent nearly three years at Tribal Chicago as an ECD and also served in a senior creative role at Fallon. While at C-K Chicago, meanwhile, Flatt oversaw creative on clients including Porsche, Corona Extra, Edward Jones, Sealy, Heinz and Levitra.

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Rosetta Makes Some More Cuts

After receiving a handful of tips, we’ve received confirmation that Publicis Groupe-owned Rosetta has had to cut some staff, marking the second time this summer that the agency has had to make said reductions. Here’s a statement:

 ”While Rosetta has experienced significant new business in the first half of the year, we have reduced a limited number of staff across a number of our business units and office locations today. We do not take this process lightly. The long-term growth of our people and agency depend on our ability to act thoughtfully and expeditiously to strengthen operating efficiencies and ensure outstanding results moving forward. We are making every possible effort to assist in finding a new situation for each affected employee.”

No word yet on approximate number or departments affected, but we’ll keep you posted.

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Recent College Grad Launches Creative Director Self-Help Site

Would a Creative Director take advice from anyone, regardless of the source? What if that source is a recent UNC grad offering up satirical tips about the industry in exchange for a chance to work? Well, if you’re a CD looking to fill an open position, you might want to check out creativedirectorselfhelp.com.

The website comes from Jared Wicker, a young, nomadic copywriter looking to lose “nomadic” from his unofficial bio. We covered another of Wicker’s side projects – “Dining with Dems” – last September, when he was interning with BooneOakley. While his old site was more of a specific flavor of the week, the new site is essentially a long resume full of images, memes, and clever text. We’ve seen these types of self-promotional ventures before, some good, some boring. Wicker’s work finds a way to stand out with novelty ideas like Rapid Feedback Cards. He may not be the guy who modeled his resume after an Amazon Product Page, which is still number one in my book, but the effort shows. Give it a view, and help out a nomad.

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