Agency news you need to know this week

Terry Crews’ agency makes Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill race a reality NFL wide receiver Tyreek Hill made headlines earlier this year after challenging 100-meter Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles to a race. While the feud went viral, it seemed destined to stay on social media—until now. Super Serious, co-founded by the actor Terry Crews along with agency vets Paul Sutton and Matt O’Rourke, will host the race in 2025, as part of its Super Serious On Sight series of live events, the trio announced Monday during Advertising Week in New York. Super Serious was connected with Lyles after he signed up to be part of an upcoming tournament-style event that will pin Olympic racers against each other; Super Serious is the exclusive production partner for Duael and is helping with promotion, distribution and the run of show. This is separate from Super Serious On Sight which will be its own series of live events. Crews said he is good friends with Hill’s agent, which led to the Miami Dolphins star agreeing to be in the race. During the panel, Super Serious also announced a slate of upcoming entertainment projects, which it pitched to brands during the Way Upfronts during earlier this year. Also read: Terry Crews launches agency with mini-musical for Impossible Foods Agency Review Tracker Stay up to date with the latest account reviews Click here WPP partners with Blackweek Blackweek, the economic forum and marketing conference meant to show the impact of Black and Brown communities, is partnering with WPP to host an invite-only executive lounge at its inaugural conference in New York City next week. The lounge will provide a unique space for diverse agency founders and CEOs to connect, share insights and explore business opportunities with WPP’s Corporate Development team, hosted by Michael Houston, the holding company’s U.S. president. Here’s a deeper look at what to expect at Blackweek. Dept names new leader Digital shop Dept has promoted Carryn Quibell to CEO of the Americas, which now makes up nearly 50% of the agency’s revenue. She replaces Missy Foristall, who has left the agency. Quibell, who was previously senior VP of clients and technology for the Americas, will manage more than 1,500 employees and serve on Dept’s global executive team. Huge’s Chief Strategy Officer and Global Client President Jon Judah will assume her former role. Tombras nabs another one Tombras has acquired New York-based independent agency The Burns Group in a move designed to boost its capabilities with consumer packaged goods clients. Terms of the deal, which is Tombras’ second in recent months, were not disclosed. Burns Group, which has 10 employees and works with clients such as Swiss cough drop brand Ricola, will become a part of Tombras New York. Burns Group Founder Michael Burns and Founding Partner James Wilday will serve as strategic advisors. “We could have sold to a number of takers, but we wanted to join a like-minded agency—independence is important to us,” Burns said. Just briefly WPP’s AKQA promoted Luiza Baffa to managing partner, a new role. She formerly served as managing director in São Paulo. Microsoft appointed Boden as its public relations agency of record for Hispanic communications following a competitive review. The incumbent agency was not immediately clear. Publicis New York named Nikki Maizel as its new president, succeeding Steve Shames, who has been promoted to chief growth officer of parent Publicis Groupe, according to an agency spokesperson. Maizel was most recently head of business leadership and managing partner at IPG’s McCann New York. Creative agency Party Land hired Sean McNamara as its first head of strategy. McNamara formerly held the same title at Battery. Check out the latest Ad Age events and award programs

Agency news you need to know this week

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