Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) has appointed Heide Gardner to the newly created position of global culture officer. She currently serves as IPG’s SVP, chief diversity and inclusion officer. In her new position, Gardner will take a leadership role in shaping the values-based company’s strategic, long-term vision on a broad range of social justice issues and well-being for underserved and underrepresented communities, and ways in which the company can engage with its clients and partners on these issues to achieve sustainable business goals. Gardner will move into the global culture officer role on August 1, transitioning her current operational responsibilities to a new chief diversity and inclusion officer to be announced, who will take over day-to-day strategy and program delivery of the DE&I function across IPG, working in conjunction with DEI leadership at Interpublic’s companies. As IPG’s first global culture officer, Gardner will build on the longstanding position she has earned as an industry thought-leader, and will build strategic partnerships with a cross-section of businesses, NGOs, business leaders, creative communities, as well as academic institutions and other organizations shaping public policy. Gardner will also advise senior leadership across the enterprise, as well as continue to represent IPG for forums focused on systemic and structural change, such as the Unstereotype Alliance, United Nations Global Compact, The Business Roundtable, World Economic Forum on Diverse Representation in Media, Coqual, and the Executive Leadership Council.
Editorial, finishing, and VFX house Uppercut has added editor Mike Sobo to its New York team. He’s spent the last six years at Lost Planet where his editing has been recognized by the Clio and The One Show competitions. He has cut for brands such as Cadillac, Nike, the NBA, Coach, New Balance, American Express and Chevrolet. Sobo has edited a few projects that Lena Dunham directed, including The Lenny Letter and a branded content piece she did for & Other Stories. Additional director collaborations include recent projects with Spike Lee and Zack Snyder. Sobo’s personal artistic projects include cutting the feature film La Voz de Los Silenciados, which screened at several festivals. He also directed, edited, and starred in a sketch comedy series called No Problem on Funny or Die. Prior to Lost Planet, Sobo landed his first ad industry gig at ad agency Mother to start up and lead its first in-house post department. Uppercut maintains shops in NY and Atlanta….
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