Edelman names new U.S. CEO

Edelman named Kirsty Graham CEO of its U.S. operation, effective Feb. 1. She is currently global president of the firm’s practices and sectors business and will oversee the largest region of nearly 2,500 people across 12 offices in the new role.

Edelman Global President and Chief Operating Officer Matt Harrington has been acting as U.S. CEO since September, when Lisa Osborne Ross, who formerly held that role, took a leave of absence. Osborne Ross, who became the first Black woman to lead a PR firm of Edelman’s size in 2021, officially left in October.

A replacement has yet to be named for Graham’s current role, according to a spokesperson for Edelman. Since she joined in 2020, Graham has overseen the strategy and development of Edelman’s brand and corporate practices, its global impact team and its global health, technology, energy and food and beverage sectors. She’s also been global chair of the firm’s health practice since 2020.

“It’s a unique opportunity to be able to apply Kirsty’s vast experiences from overseeing the firm’s global practices & sectors, and transforming health into our largest sector, to our U.S. operation to drive its next phase of growth,” said Harrington, to whom Graham will report.

Jessica Simpson spoofs herself in Chicken of the Sea ad

More than two decades after Jessica Simpson infamously confused tuna brand Chicken of the Sea for a chicken product in a 2003 episode of the reality show “Newlyweds,” she’s owning the mishap and appearing in an ad for the company.

The spot finds Simpson eating ​​one of the brand’s “wild-caught tuna packages” on the couch alongside her daughter, Maxwell, whom she informs that Chicken of the Sea is, in fact, tuna and warns her not to confuse the contents by its name. Maxwell hilariously asks who would ever make that mistake (ahem, not Simpson, no way).

Simpson goes on to say that as a mom, businesswoman and recording artist, she relies on lean protein she can eat on the go.

The “Chicken of the Sea, It’s the One for Me” campaign comes from creative shop Reach Agency. Simpson’s “iconic ‘is it chicken or is it fish?’ moment is part of the fabric of pop culture, and we had a lot of fun working with Jessica to give it a new spin in 2024,” said Griffin Raasch, director of marketing for Chicken of the Sea.

Interbrand New York chief operating officer to become president

Omnicom Group brand consultancy Interbrand has named Holmfridur Hardardottir president of New York from chief operating officer.

Hardardottir is the first to hold the president role, an Interbrand spokesperson said. The consultancy will not fill the chief operating officer job because Hardardottir’s duties will encompass “operational oversight in addition to other office lead responsibilities,” according to the spokesperson. 

Hardardottir co-managed the business for six years, overseeing finance, human resources, operations, and a restructuring that broke it “into four client-centric business units.” She will report to Global CEO Gonzalo Brujó in the new role.

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead Interbrand New York after spending many successful years working with leadership to grow the business,” Hardardottir said. “We combine to make a dream team of passionate, strategically-minded, thinkers and makers—working with a client list of the world’s best global brands.”

21 Savage TikTok Filter

Mojo Supermarket and social agency GoSpooky were tapped to help rapper 21 Savage with the promotion of his upcoming album “American Dream,” which focuses on the rapper’s journey as an immigrant. To promote the album, which is set to come out on Jan. 12, the two agencies created a TikTok filter that when used allows immigrants to preview part of a song from the album.

“Mojo Supermarket’s creative approach to music marketing caught our eye at the Music Clios two years ago, and we’re thrilled to have finally found the perfect project to collaborate on that creatively utilizes the biggest social platforms in the world to promote one of the most anticipated albums of the year,” David Bell, executive VP, head of marketing at Epic Records, said in a statement.

To access the filter, users must search “Dare to Dream” in TikTok Effects and open the face lens. On the screen, the filter will ask, “Are you an immigrant who dares to dream?” If a user selects “yes,” a song will play while a virtual green card-like credential and an animated image of 21 Savage’s face appear. Those who say “no” will be led to a screen that reads, “For immigrants only.”

Ruffwear hires Hanson Dodge 

Ruffwear, which makes outdoor performance gear for dogs, has appointed Millwaukee-based agency Hanson Dodge as its lead North America agency responsible for all media planning and buying, consumer research and creative concepting, according to a statement by the agency.

Hanson Dodge’s previous experience in the outdoor category with current footwear client KEEN played a role in the decision for the brand, said Ruffwear Chief Marketing Officer Robin Skillings.

New work is expected to debut later in the year. It was unclear which agency held the account last. 

Just Briefly

UTA appointed a new head of its New York office. Julian Jacobs, who will retain his role as partner and co-head of entertainment marketing at UTA, will take over for Allan Haldeman, who is moving back to Los Angeles from New York and continuing his role as a partner and co-head of TV Literary and Theatre departments within UTA.

Curious Jane promoted two of its leaders: Lisa Runyon was named chief operating officer from senior director of operations, and Gloria Burbano was named chief strategy officer from senior director of client services, national marketing. Both are new roles for the agency.

San Diego Mojo, a new professional women’s indoor volleyball team, appointed InnoVision Marketing Group, a global bilingual marketing agency, as its integrated agency of record in charge of media buying, traditional advertising, design, marketing and collateral development for games and events. It could not be determined if there was a previous agency.