Agency news you need to know this week

This campaign revives overdose victims Independent agency BarkleyOKRP has used AI tools to recreate the image and likeness of three Kansas City residents whose deaths from fentanyl overdoses could have been prevented. “Unfinished Legacies” will run across social media, Spotify and out-of-home, aiming to combat the growing fentanyl epidemic and raise awareness of lives cut short by accidental overdoses. The campaign was created for the City of Kansas City and the United Way of Greater Kansas City, as fentanyl-related deaths in the region have increased 1,190% in the past five years, according to a BarkleyOKRP statement. Check out the first of three spots below. “As a mom with two young children growing up in Kansas City, I could not be more invested in this work and hopeful for the impact it will have on our community,” Katy Hornaday, chief creative officer at BarkleyOKRP, said in a statement. With approval from the families, BarkleyOKRP also took over the victims’ Snapchat accounts to share their stories (research from the agency found that the campaign’s target audience—18-to-35-year-olds—regularly listen to and take advice from their peers). ‘Exit’ interview After nearly 17 years, Christine Fruechte is stepping down as Colle McVoy’s CEO and taking on new strategic advisory role as chair. The CEO position will be filled by Jessica Henrichs, the agency’s president, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Fruechte is a rarity when it comes to tenure—she was named president of the Minneapolis shop in 2007 and assumed the CEO role a year later. Also, she earned those positions when women were practically unheard of in agency operating roles. Since she became CEO, the shop’s revenue nearly tripled and earnings increased six times, as reported at the end of September. Agency Brief decided to mark the occasion of Fruechte’s upcoming exit with an exit interview collecting details about Fruechte most people don’t know. Here are a few: Exec elevations at Horizon Media Horizon Media has promoted Gene Turner to president and global chief client officer, a new role in which he’ll oversee client strategy in markets including New York, Los Angeles and Canada. Turner will also retain his prior role as president of Horizon Next, the performance marketing arm of Horizon Media. David Campanelli, chief investment officer at Horizon Media, was promoted into the new role of president of global investment. He will focus on expanding Horizon’s performance media capabilities, including social, search and programmatic. Petermayer hires new creative chief New Orleans-based creative shop Petermayer, which has worked with brands including Quantum Fiber and Zatarain’s, has named Dave Damman chief creative officer. He succeeds Matt Kuttan, who has left the agency. Damman formerly served as CCO and president at Buntin, an agency headquartered in Nashville. Damman and his family will move from Nashville to New Orleans in 2024. “New Orleans has almost an unfair advantage as an at times underrated creative hub,” Damman said in a statement. Ahmed says goodbye to AKQA As reported yesterday, AKQA Group CEO Ajaz Ahmed has stepped down from his role at the agency he founded in 1994 before its sale to WPP Group. It was an emotional parting for Ahmed, who sent out a note to the agency, which was obtained by Ad Age. Below are sections from the email. “Serving AKQA’s team, clients, and values for the past 30 years has been the greatest honour of my life,” he wrote. “Founding AKQA at a young age was the start of an incredible journey, and if destiny allows, I look forward to another 30 years of meaningful work and making a difference.” “From the start, AKQA was more of an all-consuming calling than a company. My connection to AKQA has been my purpose, passion, and devotion. It’s been my whole adult life, an idea woven into every fibre of my being.” Near the conclusion of the note, he writes: “Though I will not be here day-to-day, my love for AKQA will remain constant. Heartache, caused by the separation from something you love and helped bring into the world, can rob us of the ability to marvel at the wonders around us and steal the joy of seeing the beauty in this life. But I am not burdened by grief. This moment feels more like a rebirth, a door opening to something new.” More: AKQA Group CEO Ajaz Ahmed resigns Agency Review Tracker Stay up to date with the latest account reviews Click here Just briefly Jason Musante, former chief creative officer at Huge, has joined digital marketing and social media agency Glow as executive creative director, a new role. After leaving Huge in 2021, Musante had been working client side as head of brand at Masterworks. Communications holding company Orchestra has acquired Small Girls PR, an agency focused on earned media, influencer marketing and more. It was an eight-figure deal, but specific financial details were not disclosed. Small Girls PR, which has worked with clients such as Snapchat, Google and Jack in the Box, will retain its name. Iris Worldwide promoted Marie Little to global chief health officer; she will oversee the agency’s healthcare practice, Iris x Health. Little, who had been managing director, is replacing Catherine Brassington-Richards, who joined Havas Health Network in May. TruGreen, the largest lawn care service provider in the U.S., named VML its lead creative and social agency without a competitive review. There was no incumbent agency, according to a VML spokesperson. TruGreen will continue to work with WPP’s AKQA on web efforts and indie shop Tinuiti on paid media. Contributing: Tim Nudd, Lindsay Rittenhouse, Judann Pollack

Agency news you need to know this week

Featured Stories