VCCP has hired Arts & Letters veteran Jed Grossman to lead creative efforts across its newly merged U.S. operations as the agency’s first U.S. chief creative officer.

The London-based agency network earlier this year merged VCCP New York with its San Francisco-based creative agency, Muhtayzik Hoffer, to create one entity under the VCCP U.S. banner. Grossman will lead the creative vision and output for VCCP U.S., reporting to Darren Bailes, the agency’s global CCO.

The appointment, effective immediately, follows other top leadership hires at the shop. Last August, Brett Edgar joined as CEO of VCCP U.S., while Caroline Grayson came aboard as managing director in New York. In February, Janisse Wong joined as chief financial officer. All three execs came from 72andSunny.

Grossman said that VCCP U.S.'s embrace of “bravery and openness in its approach to creativity” drew him to the agency. “I look forward to partnering with leadership to inspire this team of dreamers toward developing work with our clients that transcends traditional advertising,” Grossman added. 

Grossman spent five years at Arts & Letters, most recently as executive creative director. He previously worked at B-Reel New York and Mother New York. He began his career as an art director at Crispin Porter + Bogusky.

“A high-level creative perspective to unite both offices has remained the missing piece of the puzzle,” said Edgar. “[Grossman] has a challenger spirit that aligns with our values, and I look forward to seeing his impact on our business.”

Bailes added that Grossman is “a superstar. People can’t speak highly enough of him. That’s why we’re so pleased to have him join the team and push our creative output in North America as we continue strengthening the agency’s presence within and beyond that market.”

Earlier this month, VCCP U.S. laid off 12 employees—about 10 percent of staff—following the M/H and VCCP New York merger. The agency told Ad Age those cuts “helped solve for duplicative roles ... allowing us to better align operating structures with client needs.” VCCP has over 1,200 employees globally.

Recent account wins at VCCP U.S. include Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Nutribullet and Native.

Last week, Arts & Letters promoted Molly Jamison, a creative director on ESPN and Google Photos, to the ECD role vacated by Grossman.