Cross-cultural agency the community has brought on Anomaly alumnus Matthew Kline as its new executive director, growth & partnerships. In this role, he will oversee all areas of business development and public relations, spearheading pitches and fostering new partnerships for the agency. Even though this appointment has been in the works for several months, his onboarding will occur virtually in light of COVID-19. Based in New York, Kline will report directly to president Luis Montero.
“At the community, we set out to help our clients stay ahead of the ever-changing commercial and cultural landscapes, a goal that remains more important now than ever before. Matt has a history of helping brands become more commercial by listening to consumers,” said Montero. “His cultural sensibility undoubtedly aligns with our agency’s ethos and will serve as an invaluable tool in the weeks ahead.”
With 15-plus years of experience in business development and client services, Kline has a proven track record of ushering in effective partnerships. During his time at Anomaly, he contributed to new business wins including NBCUniversal’s Peacock, Microsoft, Huda Beauty, and Abbott Diabetes Care , while also building partnerships with organizations like the ANA and AdColor. Prior to that, Kline oversaw new business at Zambezi, helping the agency double its size over the course of his tenure by building and growing relationships with the likes of Foot Locker, Adidas, and Cox Automotive. He has a background in talent representation, having started his career at Todd Shemarya Artists and Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles where he developed commercial brand partnerships.
“The community embodies a constantly-evolving notion of culture. I’ve always admired how it moves seamlessly between multicultural and general market, breaking down the distinction between those two spheres,” said Kline. “I look forward to working with the team to help brands reflect and resonate with the fluidity of today’s audiences.”
Since opening its doors in 2001, the community has delivered lauded creative work for brands including Verizon, Mondelez, and Corona. Kline will begin expanding and deepening the global creative agency’s client roster immediately.