MediaPost | People on the Move

HD CSO Stefaniak Retires After 32-Year Career

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:59:07 -0400

Mike Stefaniak, Chief Strategy Officer at independent agency Hanson Dodge (HD), is retiring at the end of the month after a 32-year career in advertising.

The last 16 of those years were spent in various roles at HD, from Vice President of Client Leadership and Senior Brand Strategist to his current post which he has held for a decade.

He helped start and build out HD’s digital strategy, performance marketing and branding practices and served on the National Board of Directors for the Business Marketing Association (now ANA Business Marketing) and was also active in the 4As Strategy Committee.

“Mike lives by our agency mantra, ‘Helping good people and clients to make the next great leap,’” said Stacie Boney, President of Hanson Dodge who has worked with Stefaniak for nearly a decade.

The agency indicated it has no plans to name a direct successor, with his duties being absorbed by David Pollard, vice president, client leadership and strategy.

4 Creative Directors Join Wolfgang

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The team will work on roster that includes Jagermeister, Teremana Tequila and Johnston & Murphy.

Agency Schaaf Names Laser Chief Strategy Officer

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:39:09 -0400

Schaaf, the independent agency created by industry veteran Kendra Schaaf three years ago, has named Lauren Laser as its chief strategy officer.

Laser joins from Zuma Labs, the strategic consultancy she founded in 2023. She arrives as Schaaf has recently expanded its client roster to include Chobani, Daily Harvest, General Mills, Girls Who Code and Meta.

Before founding Zuma Labs, Laser led brand and integrated strategy at BBDO and Digitas, building work across CPG, beauty, health and wellness, fashion and retail.

WPP Production Adds EMEA CEO

Tue, 26 May 2026 08:48:08 -0400

WPP Production has promoted Santiago Sánchez-Lozano to Chief Executive Officer for EMEA. The role is new. Previously he led the launch of Hogarth in Spain as CEO.

Earlier Sánchez-Lozano spent 12 years at Ogilvy, where he held a series of senior leadership roles including director of digital development and innovation, chief innovation officer, managing director in Madrid, and chief delivery officer.

Stagwell Media Platform Taps Sil To Lead Product Development

Wed, 20 May 2026 10:34:19 -0400

Omnicom and WPP veteran Dru Sil has been appointed to the new post of global product managing director at Stagwell Media Platform.

The Variable Names Williams Chief Growth Officer

Mon, 18 May 2026 13:32:19 -0400

Independent agency The Variable today announced the appointment of Courtney Williams as Chief Growth Officer and Partner.

Williams joins from The Martin Agency, where she most recently served as vice president--head of business development. Earlier she served at 22Squared and BBDO Atlanta.

Over the past year, The Variable has been busy expanding its integrated media, strategy, AI, and creative capabilities under the leadership of CEO Courtney Lewis and President and Chief Creative Officer Matthew Cook who were appointed to their roles last July.

Recently won clients include Outdoor Brands (Charbroil, Pit Boss), COREtec, Counter Culture Coffee and more.

RAPP UK Ups Cascarina To ECD

Tue, 12 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Cascarina will focus on the agency's AI capabilities and lead the creative team.

RingoFire Ups Franklin To President, Agency Joins RareOne

Fri, 08 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Marne Franklin's charge is to enhance social and retail marketing capabilities.

AbelsonTaylor Group Names Pietracatella Planning Director

Wed, 06 May 2026 09:23:42 -0400

Healthcare marketing specialist AbelsonTaylor Group has appointed Elise Pietracatella as Planning Director.

She joins AbelsonTaylor Group following her work as an independent marketing and strategy consultant, where she led planning-focused brand strategy across immunology, oncology, and payer audiences. Prior to that, she held senior leadership roles at Heartbeat, Medisafe, and Twill, and spent more than a decade at Saatchi Wellness and FCB Health.

In her new role, Pietracatella will serve as an integrated strategist across key accounts, leading brand planning efforts and partnering across disciplines. She will also contribute to thought leadership, mentor junior team members, and play a leadership role in new business initiatives.

SCC Taps Boyle For New Growth Role

Mon, 04 May 2026 08:48:35 -0400

Chicago-based Schafer Condon Carter (SCC) has hired Liam Boyle as Chief Growth Officer, a new role at the agency. He will report to agency President and CEO, Ben Behrman.

Previously he led growth and new business at Bader Rutter across B2B2C sectors including food and beverage, agriculture, pet care and manufacturing. Earlier, he served at Edelman, The Sound, Omnicom, and The Escape Pod Group.

At SCC, he will lead efforts to expand the agency’s growth engine, expand strategic partnerships, and connect capabilities across the organization.

Reach Agency Adds To Client Teams

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The influencer-marketing agency has a host of new talent.

Stagwell Taps Petersen To Lead Brand, Communications Efforts

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:12:35 -0400

Stagwell has appointed Lena Petersen Chief Brand and Communications Officer. She succeeds Beth Sidhu, who is shifting to CEO at the company’s sports marketing unit Sport Beach.

Petersen will lead Stagwell’s Brand and Communications team, driving the firm’s brand identity, amplifying executive visibility, and more. She will report to Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell.

Most recently, she held senior leadership roles at Sugar23 and MediaLink and earlier held senior communications roles at Publicis media unit Starcom Mediavest Group.

Gus Names Executive Team, Gains Lovesac Account

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Co-founders Graham Douglas is CEO and Spencer LaVallee is CCO.

GUT New York Promotes Mekjian, McCarthy To ECDs

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The creative duo will oversee the team and bring in new business.

Herbst Leads Mighty Union As President

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The new hire's charge is to oversee the agency's continued evolution.

Cleland Joins FUSE Create As Creative Director

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Cleland will drive cultural relevance for brands at the Toronto agency.

Agency Drake Cooper Names Acquistapace Executive Media Director

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:36:32 -0400

Agency Drake Cooper has hired media veteran Kyle Acquistapace as its executive media director, a new position at the agency.

Acquistapace will oversee the agency’s media practice including strategy, planning, buying services and team development.

Acquistapace was previously Chief Media Officer at Publicis Groupe’s Team One and before that led media and analytics for 16 years at Deutsch LA as Partner & Director of Media & Data Strategy.

Havas Chicago Taps Amodeo For Growth Role

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:59:26 -0400

Havas Chicago has appointed Lou Amodeo senior vice president--head of growth, to spearhead new business development and accelerate growth, which the agency says has been “unprecedented” over the past 18 months, including 30% organic growth and 80% conversion of new business pitches in the last 18 months.

He succeeds Christyn Lovelace, who left to join Eastport Holdings.

Reporting to President Kat Ott, Amodeo joins forces with Chief Creative Officer Frank Dattalo and Chief Strategy Officer Chase Cornett, both of whom joined Havas Chicago in the past 18 months.

During that time the agency has won new clients like Stanley Steemer, Wayfair, Citi Bank, and Bel Brands. Together they crafted the agency’s “High-Low” model—“Think like a brand and act like an influencer”—blending strategic depth with creator agility for culturally relevant work.

“Lou’s experience operating as both a hunter and a closer across global categories makes him the perfect fit to accelerate Havas Chicago’s next phase of growth,” stated Ott.

Most recently, Amodeo served as VP of Growth at agency DEPT® where he is credited with helping to drive more than $45 million in new business revenue.

WHITE64 Taps Wilson As ECD

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Michael Wilson's agency experience includes Crispin Porter and 72andSunny.

Attachment Ups U.S. Presence, Names Weiswasser EVP, North America

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Weiswasser was previously president of Platinum Rye.

Marcus Thomas Adds 3 To Leadership Ranks

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

The integrated marketing agency upped Burris and Lewis to C-suite posts.

Highdive Ups Long To Chief Growth/Marketing Officer

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

In 2025, the agency saw its ninth consecutive year of double-digit growth.

Doherty Heads Brand Management For R&R

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

The agency's CMO touted Liam Doherty's "incredible pedigree driving business results."

WHITE64 Adds 4 New Roles To Agency Leadership

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Client wins in the past year including the Williamsburg Tourism Council, U.S. Travel and V2X

Greenhaus Adds Soulies, Brown As Partners

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Chris Brown is leading Greenhaus Groundworks, a new strategy and insights unit.

True Media Taps Clark For Account Management Role

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:01:31 -0500

Minneapolis-based agency True Media has appointed Alison Clark as senior vice president, head of account management, reporting to agency president Chris Actis.

Most recently, Clark was chief client and growth officer at Marcus Thomas, where she led client services and business development initiatives.

Earlier she served at CBX, Colle McVoy, JWT and several other agencies.

True Media is owned by True Independent Holdings, a Meet The People company.

Shadrick Selected As Ammunition Strategy Director

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

The appointment follows the agency's EMEA launch in December 2025.

David Madrid Ups Bosch To ECD

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

The Cannes Lions winner has led the Burger King account.

Superbloom House Enhances Management Roles

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

All three staffers report to Briony McCarthy, CEO.

Otherway Adds To U.S. Expansion, Taps McCarthy As Head Of Design & Creative

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

The American portfolio includes Rocket, Lagunitas Brewing Company and Autodesk.