Three senior team members have been added to Garage Team Mazda (GTM): chief creative officer Steve Chavez, chief strategy officer Joanna Young and SVP, head of customer engagement Arnel Kasmally. GTM is a WPP integrated team agency founded in 2010 in partnership with client Mazda.
“WPP is a creative transformation company. As we help Mazda to navigate the increasing complexities of the customer journey and their own brand transformation into the premium space, we evolve our model and enhance our offering and capability,” said Michael Buttlar, WPP Mazda global client leader and GTM CEO. “We are confident that Steve, Joanna and Arnel’s experience and leadership will help Team Mazda bring the best of WPP to our successful partnership with Mazda.”
Chavez’s work has been honored at the ANDY Awards, ADC, Cannes, Clios, D&AD, Epicas, Effies, The One Show and The Webbys, among others. Chavez most recently led and owned creative agency North of Sunset, and was previously the CCO for Leo Burnett in Detroit. At Burnett, Chavez contributed Buick’s “A Human Kind of Luxury.” The campaign targeted a younger, more civic-minded audience and, in one year, doubled excellent opinion scores to help Buick become the fastest growing major automotive brand with 85% sales increase for 16 consecutive months. He also lead an all-new NCAA promotional platform and media partnership securing rights for Buick as the “Official Sponsor of Human Achievement.” Chavez has proven himself as a creative leader and strong storyteller with a long career at top agencies such as Doner, Saatchi & Saatchi and Ogilvy & Mather.
Kasmally brings a wealth of digital and technology experience as a marketing leader and WPP veteran, previously working at Essence Media, Geometry Global, Y&R and Ogilvy supporting brands such as BMW, MasterCard, American Express, Dell, Nestle, Time Warner, Marriott and Google. He joins GTM from the Mobile Marketing Association, where he was managing director, head of digital. In his new role, Kasmally will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of customer engagement including technology platforms, social, digital advertising and CRM.
Young is GTM’s first ever chief strategy officer. She comes to the agency with a strong background in marketing, advertising and the automotive and luxury sectors. Young began her career as a strategic planning analyst at Hyundai/Kia in Orange County and then spent 10 years in New York as group planning director at Havas, followed by a stints at Lowe and mcgarrybowen. She joins GTM from Team One where she served as management director, strategic planning. Young oversaw brand strategy for The Ritz Carlton/St. Regis hotels, PIMCO and Lexus. She has an abundance of experience dealing with prominent luxury and premium brands.
