Maria Perez has been promoted to head of production and agency operations at Johannes Leonardo. Perez joined in 2016 as an executive producer, and as a result of her promotion will be tasked with leading both the production and business affairs department in delivering exceptional and effective creative output for the agency.
Additionally, Perez will be tasked with overseeing day-to-day operations at Johannes Leonardo, including implementing multi-departmental processes, systems and approaches that will maximize scale at the growing independent agency. Perez will report to agency president Bryan Yasko, and co-founders Jan Jacobs and Leo Premutico.
“Maria has been a game-changer for us,” said Yasko. “Over the years, she has fearlessly led and operationalized some of our most famous work from inception to completion. It’s no secret that we are in the midst of accelerated growth, and we are proud to have Maria leading our entire production department.”
Hailing from Madrid, Perez has had a 25-year-long career spanning various digital and integrated production roles. Prior to Johannes Leonardo, Perez was a freelance producer for four years, during which time she worked on projects for Adidas. Over the course of her career, Perez has held positions at agencies 72andSunny in Amsterdam and 180 Amsterdam.
During her career, Perez has managed thousands of productions, including spots for Adidas, Samsung, Smirnoff, Coke, Versace, Alexander Wang, and Benetton, which have resulted in accolades from international award shows like Cannes, the Clios, and The One Show.
“Agencies won’t survive unless they are creating work that works,” said Perez. “I am excited for the opportunity to continue working with such a talented group of people as we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible for our clients and their businesses.”
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More