Audrey Melofchik has become president of DDB New York. She’s been the president of Velocity OMC, another Omnicom shop (this one dedicated to Johnson & Johnson), and will now oversee both agencies. Melofchik will report directly to Paul Gunning, president and COO of DDB U.S.
“I’ve known Audrey for many years and her influence on not only individuals, but teams at both agencies and clients has resulted in mutually beneficial client-agency partnerships,” said Gunning. When the opportunity to have Audrey lead DDB New York and become part of the U.S. leadership team presented itself, it was an easy decision to ask her to come on board. Audrey’s leadership style, strategic concern for her team and clients, and her proven experience building an environment where creativity thrives and results in effective work make her the perfect leader for the New York office.”
In her new role as president of DDB New York, Melofchik will implement an operating structure that prioritizes creative excellence, client relationships and agency culture. She’ll oversee the agency’s talented team and partner with DDB New York co-CCOs, Lisa Topol and Derek Barnes, to deliver best-in-class work that grows clients’ businesses.
“As a global client leader at Omnicom, I’ve had a front-row seat to the growing creative firepower and momentum Wendy (worldwide CEO Clark) has built at DDB. Now I have the incredibly good fortune to join Paul, Derek, Lisa and the entire team in driving that momentum at DDB New York. I’m excited to bring new ideas and business impact to our current clients and future clients alike,” said Melofchik.
Prior to Velocity, Melofchik was EVP, team leader of the HP account at BBDO San Francisco and led the award-winning “Keep Reinventing” campaign. Previously, she was at Organic for over five years and served as the agency’s chief client officer. During that time, she led the Kimberly-Clark business, winning numerous awards for their work on UbyKotex’s “Break the Cycle” and “Generation Know” creative. She also led significant growth for the agency, helping win AT&T, MetLife and American Family Insurance.
Melofchik’s appointment to the DDB New York presidency is the latest in a string of leadership and new business announcements from DDB U.S. This year in the U.S., DDB has announced that Jamie McGarry was promoted to EVP, director of business development and John McCarthy was named president of DDB’s San Francisco office. DDB’s Chicago office recently won the U.S. Army contract.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More