VMLY&R has added three senior leaders–Rebecca Flavin, Ryan McManus and Conan Wang–to the dedicated, multi-agency global team that supports Ford Motor Company, one of WPP’s largest global accounts.
Flavin, a 20-year leader in digital and CX, has been appointed chief experience officer on Ford in a newly created position. She is charged with harnessing creativity, strategy, technology, data, and innovation to deliver world-class, human-centric experiences that have both meaning and utility for Ford’s evolving portfolio of products and services.
Prior to VMLY&R, Flavin served as the global chief experience officer for Ogilvy and was also CEO of Effective, an experience strategy and design agency. She has served on the global board of directors for SoDA, the Society of Digital Agencies, and is currently serving on the board of the 4A’s CX Council, helping to establish best practices and standards within the industry. Flavin has held senior leadership positions with Return Path, DoubleClick, and Merkle, and began her career with Saatchi & Saatchi. Client experience includes Lilly, Aetna, Boeing, British Airways, Salesforce, Wells Fargo, American Express, CFA Institute and MSC Cruises.
McManus meanwhile has been appointed chief creative officer, North America, on Ford, charged with driving creative transformation during a time of great opportunity and change for the auto icon.
McManus is no stranger to the VMLY&R network, having made his mark over the last 10 years as chief creative officer in South Africa. Before that, he co-founded jointhepipe.org, an NGO that won the Best New Initiative from UNICEF. McManus has been recognized at Cannes, D&AD, Loeries, One Show, ADC, and Effies, and received top distinctions for his creative influence on both brands and the industry alike.
And Wang has been appointed executive creative director on Ford. Wang is a two-time Emmy award-winning creative with over 20 years of experience working on integrated marketing and advertising campaigns. His most recent position was at TBWAG1 where he oversaw creative teams across TBWA’s European offices.
Wang’s brand experience spans AB InBev, Canada Goose, The Coca-Cola Company, Diageo, GM, Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. His accomplishments include creating the first advertising campaign for Canada Goose and developing the first brand film to premiere at the Oscars and on Netflix.
“Ryan and Conan bring world-class expertise to our team. They have both demonstrated in their respective careers how to make brands a relevant part of culture,” said Jason Xenopoulos, global chief creative officer on the Ford business. Both McManus and Wang report into Xenopoulos.
“Our expertise-led multi-agency model allows us to deliver and adapt to a changing landscape better than ever. The addition of world-class talent like Rebecca, Ryan and Conan will undoubtedly have an immediate, positive impact for our clients,” said Robert Guay, WPP’s global client lead on Ford.
“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