Revolt names BBDO New York’s Kirsten Flanik first North America CEO

Creative consultancy Revolt has appointed former BBDO New York executive Kirsten Flanik to the new role of North America CEO. Flanik left BBDO New York on July 15 after seven years as CEO and president and 18 years overall with the Omnicom Group agency. Nancy Reyes, who recently joined as BBDO’s Americas CEO, is managing Flanik’s responsibilities while the agency searches for a replacement. Also read: BBDO Chicago office leader exits Agency Review Tracker Stay up to date with the latest account reviews Click here Revolt, a B Corp agency that launched in the U.K. in 2017, helps brands develop their purpose and manage their reputation, as well as assisting with business transformation. It supports clients such as Anheuser-Busch InBev, L'Oréal and Danone, according to its website. After Corona Cero became the official beer sponsor of the 2024 Olympic Games, for example, Revolt suggested a partnership with Mission Blue, a nonprofit organization that aims to protect the ocean. Corona Cero built a broader campaign around the partnership, featuring spots with surfers that encouraged viewers to help restore life below the water. Check out the latest Ad Age events and award programs Flanik, who will remain based in New York, said she has always enjoyed helping brands evolve to meet “rapid changes in business and culture.” The opportunity to “build off that experience and help guide clients to sustainable performance got me really excited,” she said, calling her new position “transformative.” Expanding the agency’s footprint Revolt was acquired by U.K.-based environmental, social and governance specialist group Anthesis in January. Anthesis appointed Flanik to build Revolt’s foothold in North America, where it currently has a small office in New York and works with clients including PepsiCo, Mars and Kraft Heinz. The U.S. is Anthesis’ biggest market, but many of its companies’ revenue streams are still tied to Europe, said Dean Sanders, chief enterprise officer at Anthesis. With Flanik’s appointment, the group aims to strengthen its U.S. presence, Sanders added. “We’re serious about building a team and business in the U.S., and we need leaders of [high] caliber and quality to help us do that,” said Sanders, to whom Flanik will report. Flanik formerly worked with Revolt Co-Founder Alex Lewis and U.K. CEO Richard Arscott when they were at AMV BBDO—which she said will be essential to expanding a market “as critical as North America.” “We share a similar belief that brands can be a force for good, and that positive impact can lead to business transformation,” Flanik said. “The three of us have a great deal of mutual trust and respect, and that’s a great foundation to start from.” Anthesis, which works with Target and Microsoft in North America, owns a range of sustainability-focused specialists and consultancies, including Ndevr Environmental, BuzzWord, Given and Wallbrook.

Creative consultancy Revolt names former BBDO New York exec first North America CEO

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