Fallon has appointed Nikki Baker as its new CEO. Baker, who joined the creative agency in 2018 and has served as co-chief creative officer with Leslie Shaffer since 2021, succeeds Rocky Novak, who has been in the role since 2019.
Baker’s promotion to CEO comes at a time of significant momentum for the agency, including six consecutive years of growth and award-winning work.
Baker’s recent career highlights include creatively leading the Walmart partnership with the Publicis Groupe team and spearheading innovative campaigns such as the award-winning “RomCommerce” 23-episodic series and the internet-breaking Mean Girls campaign, among hundreds of other campaigns together with the brand over the past few years. Together with Shaffer, Baker has also been instrumental in elevating Fallon’s creative output for longstanding clients like Arby’s, Mattress Firm, and Front Door/American Home Shield.
“I’ve always been an admirer of Fallon, even before I joined. The chance to lead the agency is an absolute honor. Fallon is a place like no other with amazing talent and a legacy of building big, innovative, creative ideas,” said Baker. “Rocky has represented the best of Fallon. He’s been a great leader, and I couldn’t be more excited to take the reins and lead the agency through to the next chapter. With creativity at our core, we’re going to be as ambitious as ever, push boundaries, and continue embracing emerging platforms to deliver work that truly resonates in culture.”
Prior to joining Fallon six years ago, Baker held positions as creative director and art director at agencies including DDB and GSD&M, working with major brands such as McDonald’s, Southwest Airlines, and Wrigley. Her work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, and The One Show, among others.
Baker’s appointment comes as Fallon continues to strengthen its position in the industry, with several recent wins including Cuisinart and multiple brands in the entertainment space. The agency has also made strides in diversity and inclusion, with BIPOC representation increasing another 5% over the past year, and women comprising 60% of leadership roles.
“Nikki’s visionary approach to creativity and her ability to drive real business impacts make her the ideal leader to guide Fallon into its next chapter,” said Susie Nam, CEO of Publicis Creative US. “She is the perfect alchemy of moxie, original thinking, leadership and pretty darn fun to be around too!”
As CEO, Baker will focus on driving growth, developing Fallon’s creative capabilities and nurturing the agency’s culture of innovation and inclusivity. Her leadership will continue to build upon one of Fallon’s founding beliefs by delivering work that outsmarts vs outspends the competition–something incredibly relevant in today’s media landscape. Additionally, Baker will continue to be involved in the Walmart business through the Publicis Power of One model.
“After 22 years at Fallon, including the last six as CEO, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built and beyond excited to hand the baton to Nikki, a groundbreaking creative leader who will continue to be a champion of our people, clients, and work,” said Novak.
Baker will shift into the role of CEO immediately and Shaffer will continue to creatively lead Fallon as chief creative officer.
Todd McIntosh and Peter Tothpal To Receive Life Achievement Honors At Make-Up and Hair Stylists Guild Awards
Todd McIntosh and Peter Tothpal will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 12th Annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706). McIntosh is an Emmy®-winning make-up artist known for his work on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Memoirs of a Geisha.” Tothpal is an award-winning hair stylist known for his work on “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” The awards will be bestowed at the gala event on Sunday, February 15, 2025, at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.
The MUAHS Lifetime Achievement Awards honor a make-up artist and a hair stylist who have an extraordinary spectrum of acclaimed work, exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry, and outstanding service to their union or their craft.
McIntosh, a multi-Emmy-winning Canadian make-up artist known for his transformative make-up designs, has worked on numerous critically acclaimed projects. He has won two Primetime Emmys and has 12 nominations. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, McIntosh has become a highly sought-after make-up artist, known for his attention to detail and ability to bring characters to life through his artistry.
Additional credits include “Masters of the Universe,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Griselda,” “Legion,” “The Kids are Alright,” “Venom,” “Dark Shadows,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” “City Slickers (I & II),” “The Brady Bunch Movie,” “Mr. Saturday Night,” “Look Who’s Talking (1 & 2),” “The Clan of the Cave Bear,” and dozens of others.
Tothpal, an award-winning journeyman hair stylist, has had a spectacular and varied career encompassing every facet of filmmaking. From the largest high-profile... Read More