Creative agency Doner, based in Detroit, has appointed Julio Desir to serve as SVP, group creative director, Johana Olivera as VP, brand leader, and Christina Gay as VP, finance director.
A Michigan native and award-winning creative director, Desir has a strong background in graphic design and a track record of creating industry leading content for blue-chip clients including Boeing, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Disney, Ford, Kraft, Marriott International and the US Open. He also enjoyed a brief stint working at the OWN Network for Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. At Doner, Desir will help lead creative efforts for JBL, many of the agency’s Johnson & Johnson brands, and McDonald’s, reporting to global chief creative officer Eric Weisberg.
Olivera joins Doner from Yum! Brands, where she most recently held the role of regional digital marketing manager. Accomplished and results-driven, she has over a decade of combined multinational direct and agency experience across the U.S., LATAM, and MENA regions. Previously, she worked in engagement and digital media on the agency side at Huge and Advance Digital Agency. At Doner, Olivera will offer strategic leadership and guide innovative digital marketing for the Johnson & Johnson portfolio of brands, reporting to Doner SVP Kat Ott.
Joining from Optimist, Inc., Gay will oversee financial performance and service efficiency across Doner’s full portfolio, reporting to CFO Naveen Passey. The Detroit native plans to partner with brand leaders to elevate efficiencies for clients; collaborate with department leaders on staff funding, utilization, and budgets; and drive a more streamlined and rigorous forecasting process.
Doner CEO David DeMuth said that Desir, Olivera and Gay were hired “to deliver best-in-class creativity, strategic rigor and financial acumen for our clients. Julio and Johana will make a positive impact and provide enhanced value for some of the world’s most trusted brands in the Johnson & Johnson portfolio, among others, while Christina will help our agency deliver services with great efficiency across all current and prospective clients.”
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More