TBWAChiatDay New York has hired Wade Alger as executive creative director. Alger, an eight-year veteran of The Martin Agency — and one of the creative leads behind its award-winning work for GEICO — will bring his talents to TBWA in early December, working alongside ECD and global head of art Erik Vervroegen. Alger will report directly to Chris Garbutt, global creative president of TBWAWorldwide and chief creative officer of TBWAChiatDay NY.
“I have been a huge fan of Wade’s work for years,” said Garbutt. “He is a gifted writer with a brilliant sense of humor who has created platform ideas that take brands from the traditional and conventional to integrated and disruptive. Not only will he bring a wealth of experience and talent to the agency, but a drive that will propel our collective forward to the iconic.”
Alger joins TBWAChiatDay New York following an 18-month run of new business wins, and a significant investment in talent, including Vervroegen, who rejoined the agency in August; Nancy Reyes, appointed managing director in April; Trish Schmitt and Ted Guidotti, who joined as global creative directors in February.
Alger spent his eight-plus years at The Martin Agency working on its flagship GEICO account, helping to move it from traditional to digital and integrated and to #2 overall in the car insurance category. He is credited with creating and leading some of the brand’s most iconic and award-winning work, including 2015’s innovative “Unskippable” pre-roll campaign that took home the Film Grand Prix in Cannes. In addition to GEICO, Alger also crafted the award-winning We Choose the Moon and Clouds Over Cuba campaigns for the JFK Presidential Library and more recently, the “World’s Biggest Asshole” campaign for organ donor charity Donate Life. Alger has won numerous awards, including an Emmy, 38 Cannes Lions, One Show pencils, D&AD pencils, Clios and Webby Awards. Prior to joining The Martin Agency in 2008, Alger worked as a creative director at TBWA-sibling shop GSD&M in Austin, Texas, on the BMW account.
“TBWA in New York has great momentum and I’m very excited to be joining the team,” said Alger. “GEICO’s work has been disrupting the car insurance category for years. TBWA’s drive to do the same, create disruptive and culturally relevant work for their clients, was too attractive to pass up.”
Directors Melissa Bolton-Klinger and Sasie Sealy Join Honor Society For Spots, Branded Content
Production company Honor Society has added directors Melissa Bolton-Klinger and Sasie Sealy to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. Bolton-Klinger, a director and creative director, brings a diverse portfolio of commercial, TV and film work to her new roost. Her background in improv at L.A.’s The Groundlings informs her fast-paced, sharp, and humorous directing style. She also has a finely honed expertise with celebrity talent and complex shoots. Bolton-Klinger, who was awarded a Grand Clio for her work with Reno 911, kicked off her collaborative efforts at Honor Society with projects for Coffee Mate and Future Forward. She said, “I’m so excited to be joining the Honor Society crew. They’re all about supporting women and taking creative risks, which is exactly where I thrive. With [Honor Society founder and EP] Megan Kelly leading the charge, it’s the ideal spot for me to use my comedic and celebrity-infused powers for good. I’m looking forward to crafting more work that not only gets laughs but leaves a lasting impact.” Prior to joining Honor Society, Bolton-Klinger was repped by production studio Slim. Meanwhile Sealy, who had earlier been repped by production house Bullitt, is an award-winning writer/director celebrated for her striking visuals and witty, original scripts. Her debut feature film Lucky Grandma premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim and was included in multiple “Best of 2020” lists, such as Indiewire and New York Magazine. Named one of “9 Filmmakers Who Should Be on Your Radar” by The New York Times, Sealy has had her work recognized for its bold, humorous take on the female experience. Her commercial work spans... Read More