Oberland, the purpose-driven New York agency, has promoted Lisa Topol to chief creative officer, succeeding Co-Founder Bill Oberlander, who becomes creative chairman.

Topol joined Oberland in 2022 as managing partner and executive creative director. She has helped the agency shift from handling largely project-based work to developing fewer but deeper client relationships—with purpose squarely at the center.

Her recent work includes the “So Many Dicks” initiative for e.l.f. Beauty, as well as campaigns for Michaels, Thinx and the ACLU.

“Lisa has been an incredible driving force since she joined our indie agency, helping us attract and retain clients and spark social movements,” said Oberlander, who founded the agency in 2014. “She’s a powerful writer and dynamic leader who has helped Oberland scale and create more positive change. In her work at the agency, Lisa has found the perfect balance of creativity and consciousness.”

Topol joined Oberland following four years as CCO of DDB New York. She has also worked at Ogilvy, Wieden+Kennedy, J. Walter Thompson, TBWA\Chiat\Day and Grey. Topol said she found her true calling at Oberland, which was named Purpose-Led Agency of the Year at the 2024 Ad Age A-List Awards.

“Blending creativity with doing good in the world is when this job sings to me. Now I get to live my little advertising dream every day with people I love, including Bill, who has been a mentor to me since day one,” she said.

“It was a big change and a huge risk to move from a global holding company to a small independent shop focused on purpose. But I felt in my heart and soul that the social-good space would welcome and benefit from a creative infusion. And my hunch proved right, with the brands I admire doubling down on purpose.”

Oberland preaches purpose to brands not just for charitable reasons but because the agency believes it’s a path to profit—that purpose creates value for everyone.

“Purpose-driven is often an afterthought, and not part of a brand’s DNA,” Topol told Ad Age earlier this year. “We’ve been able to help brands combine creativity and consciousness and see that if purpose is more centered in your brand and you walk the walk, you become more profitable.”

Over a three-year period, Oberland cut back its client list from 45 to 13, yet revenue rose 12% from 2022 to 2023, with more than half of that coming from for-profit companies.