Jennifer Zimmerman, global chief strategy officer at mcgarrybowen, unveiled changes in the agency’s U.S. strategic leadership. Jamie Shuttleworth has been promoted from chief strategy officer of the Chicago office to U.S. chief strategy officer and will have responsibility for leading strategy across mcgarrybowen’s U.S. presence, currently with offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. Shawna Ross, formerly EVP of strategy, has been elevated as well and will take the strategy leadership reins from Shuttleworth as the new chief strategy officer for Chicago.
Zimmerman held the dual role of U.S. chief strategy officer and global chief strategy officer. When mcgarrybowen recently announced its new unified global structure aimed at driving growth for a growing list of global clients, it presented the ideal time to promote “our best” to serve the U.S. market, explained Zimmerman. “Jamie’s more than a brilliant strategist—he also embodies the heart of who we are as an agency and what we value. He has built and nurtured an amazing team in Chicago, including Shawna. Together, they are a killer combo. We’re lucky to have them and are so happy to be able to provide a bigger stage for them both.”
Shuttleworth’s career leading strategy for blue-chip clients spans nearly every category and includes such companies as Kraft Heinz, Disney, Quaker, Gatorade, Coors, Volkswagen, SC Johnson, Dow Chemical, Mattel, Yum!, Brown Forman, and the Chicago Cubs. Shuttleworth found his way into the advertising business through the Alaskan oil fields where he learned a little about oil and a lot about perseverance. Y&R appreciated that odd path and the stories that came with it so that is where he started his career. From there, he went to FCB Chicago, where he eventually rose to CSO. He joined Foote, Cone & Belding and following the 2006 merger of Draft and FCB, he became the chief strategic planning officer for the combined entity. He joined mcgarrybowen Chicago as chief strategy officer in 2012, where he inspired his clients with forward-facing ideas that have earned a fair share of Effies and other awards along the way).
Ross began her career on the account side at Y&R Chicago, where she worked on large national brands including Sears, Kraft, and Jim Beam Brands. At Chicago Creative Partnership, she leveraged her energy for strategy and consumer insights to build a planning department. This led Ross to make her way to Energy BBDO, leading strategy across multiple Bayer Healthcare brands, Shedd Aquarium, and The Art Institute of Chicago. Ross made her way to mcgarrybowen Chicago in 2010 to lead planning for Kraft and quickly found herself promoted to executive director. She has been leading strategy on Kraft Heinz and Clorox, developing smart strategies and compelling work. Ross’s experience and passion around activating brand behavior have landed her sought-after speaking engagements at Cannes and the ANA’s Masters of Marketing. She is a regular guest lecturer at Northwestern’s Medill School of Communications, a member of the 4A’s Strategy Committee, and serves as an Effie’s juror most years.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More