Beginning July 18, Dave Damman, currently interim global executive creative director for Commonwealth IPG overseeing the Chevrolet business, will become chief creative officer and co-president of agency Grupo Gallegos.
And effective immediately, Andrew Delbridge, currently chief strategy and engagement officer for Grupo Gallegos, adds the title of co-president, partnering with Damman to shape and run the agency’s growth and operations, as well as its creative output.
Announcing the two new agency positions was John Gallegos who remains in his role as founder and CEO, continuing to lead and set forth the vision for the agency.
“Grupo Gallegos’ new face of leadership is proof that our vision resonates with the top talent in our industry,” said Gallegos. “The U.S. consumer landscape is changing; we now live in a ‘polycultural’ world, and what’s most important is having the right balance of sensibility and capability to help our clients grow their businesses. Dave and Andrew’s proven track record in both the creative and strategy sides of the business will help us be fearless and focused as our client relationships and assignments continue to evolve.”
A highly awarded creative with a portfolio of breakthrough work for brands like Subaru, Lee Jeans, Timberland, BMW, Holiday Inn, United Airlines and Pepsi, Damman has held several agency leadership roles throughout his 20-year career. Prior to his stint at Commonwealth, Damman served as chief creative officer and managing partner at Carmichael Lynch, at the helm of the agency’s double-digit growth over a five-year period. While at Carmichael Lynch, Damman also launched the successful Carmichael Collective, the agency’s incubator that encourages employees to create for creativity’s sake. He has also held various roles within Fallon and Saatchi&Saatchi.
“The independent, entrepreneurial spirit of Grupo Gallegos, and the holistic vision that John and his team all share for the future of advertising made accepting this position a no-brainer for me,” said Damman. “I am energized to co-lead an agency that focuses on creatively driven work for brands.”
Delbridge, an Australian native, joined Grupo Gallegos in 2012 as chief strategy and engagement Officer, overseeing the planning and engagement departments. Under his leadership, Delbridge realigned Grupo Gallegos’ work to align with client needs. He ramped up the agency’s digital capabilities, which led to the agency recently being named digital and social agency of record for Hass Avocado Board. Before Grupo Gallegos, Delbridge was chief strategy officer at McKinney where he built the agency’s strategic offering from the ground up. He has served in various senior strategy roles around the globe in his more than 20-year career, including at Publicis, Mojo, and BBDO Clemenger.
“This is an exciting era for Grupo Gallegos as we evolve the agency to reflect how the U.S. consumer marketplace looks,” said Delbridge. “I am looking forward to continuing to work with John, and now Dave, to ensure we are constantly solving clients’ problems through brilliant creative with strategic underpinnings.”
Director Paul Feig’s “Another Simple Favor,” With Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, To Open SXSW
"Another Simple Favor," Paul Feig's sequel to his 2018 noir comedy starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, will open the SXSW Film and TV Festival.
Organizers of the Austin, Texas, festival announced Tuesday that the long-awaited "A Simple Flavor" sequel will kick of this year's edition on March 7. The Amazon MGM release plots another twist-filled round of murder and betrayal, with Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Lively) heading to an Italy wedding on Capri.
"When we saw this film last fall, we instantly knew it had to open SXSW — it gave us that electric feeling we live for as programmers," said Claudette Godfrey, festival vice president, in a statement.
SXSW has hosted Feig's films before, including a work-in-progress screening of "Bridesmaids" in 2011 and the premiere of "Spy" in 2015.
The premiere of "Another Simple Favor" will be Lively's first new movie since last year's "It Ends With Us" and the subsequent legal drama involving Lively and that film's director and co-star, Justin Baldoni.
In late December, Lively sued Baldoni, his production company and others for sexual harassment and attacks on her reputation and sought unspecified damages. Baldoni sued last month, accusing Lively and her husband, "Deadpool" actor Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion and seeking at least $400 million in damages.
A trial date of March 2026 has been set.
SXSW previously announced another opening night premiere: the upcoming Seth Rogen Hollywood comedy series "The Studio." The film festival, now in its 32nd year, runs March 7-14.
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