Agency 22squared has promoted John Stapleton from EVP/chief creative director to chief creative 0fficer. In his new role Stapleton is responsible for the overall creative brand for 22squared. Stapleton has been with 22squared for 15 years and was key in the agency’s rebranding efforts in 2007. His work has garnered recognition from various award shows including from the Effies, Communication Arts, and The One Show.
“At the start of 2015, I challenged John to create a vision, an architecture and a new spirit for our creative department and he delivered,” said Richard Ward, president, CEO at 22squared. “Under John’s leadership, we now have a road map for growing our creative prowess. We came down to the wire in our industry’s two largest creative pitches this year, making 22squared a destination for top creative talent from across the country. We look forward to John’s leadership in the years to come.”
In addition to Stapleton’s promotion, the agency has made a series of senior-level promotions. Effective immediately, these include:
· Kevin Botfeld promoted to executive creative director of the Tampa Office. He was previously a VP, creative director.
· Genna Franconi moving to account management as team account director. Franconi was previously a VP, director of strategy at 22squared.
· Saya Heathco promoted to director of strategy. Heathco previously held the role of VP, group strategy director.
· Meg Jokinen promoted to account director. She was previously a VP, management supervisor at the agency.
· Anne DiNapoli promoted to director, paid social and digital. DiNapoli previously held the role of associate media director at 22squared.
22squared is an independent, fully-integrated advertising agency works with such brands as Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin’ Donuts, GNC, Mizuno, Publix Super Markets Inc., Shoe Carnival and Southeast Toyota Distributors, with teams based in Atlanta and Tampa, Fla.
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